Device

Abstract

To efficiently provide a user with a cassette.SOLUTION: A body unit (2) includes: a cassette shelf (21); a handing-over cassette holding part (231) that temporarily holds a cassette (Ca) taken out from the cassette shelf and delivered to a medicine imparting part (32); a reception cassette holding part (232) that temporarily holds the cassette received from a medicine imparting part and returned to the reception cassette shelf; and a body cassette transfer part (22) that transfers the cassette between the cassette shelf and the handing-over cassette holding part and between the cassette shelf and the reception cassette holding part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a cassette handling device, a drug handling device, and the like.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, drug dispensing devices for dispensing drugs have been developed. One example is disclosed in Patent Documents 1 and 2.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a drug dispensing device that takes out a drug sheet from a drug storage cassette conveyed from a cassette shelf to a delivery unit and moves a drug tray so that the drug tray can receive the drug sheet. According to this drug dispensing device, the total time required to dispense the drug sheet can be shortened.

[0004] Further, Patent Document 2 discloses an automatic drug supply device including a drug picking unit having a plurality of dispensing units to which drug storage cassettes conveyed from a cassette shelf are dispensed. Each of the plurality of dispensing units has a drug outlet for taking in and out drugs and an opening / closing cover capable of opening and closing the drug outlet. In this automatic drug supply device, by controlling only the opening / closing cover of the dispensing unit to which the drug storage cassette is dispensed to be in an open state, even when a plurality of drug storage cassettes are dispensed to the drug picking unit, it is possible to surely take out a desired drug.

[0005] Also, in the method of Patent Document 3, a medical product pack is transported from a first receiving location within the access area of an operator unit to a discharge location within the access area of the operator. Further, in this method, it is transported from a replenishment location within the access area of the operator to a second receiving location within the access area of the operator unit.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0006]

Patent Document 1

[0007] An apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes a weighing unit that weighs the weight of a drug conveyed from a storage device that stores the drug, and a counting unit that counts the number of the drugs based on the weighing result of the weighing unit.

[0008] A control method for an apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes a weighing step of weighing the weight of a drug conveyed from a storage device that stores the drug, and a counting step of counting the number of the drugs based on the weighing result of the weighing step. [Brief Description of the Drawings]

[0009]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] 〔Embodiment 1〕 <Configuration of Drug Station 1> The configuration of the drug station 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of the drug station 1 according to the present embodiment.

[0011] The Drug Station 1 is a drug management system for storing drug sheets, filling and dispensing drug sheets, and inspecting the dispensed drug sheets. As shown in FIG. 1, the Drug Station 1 includes a main body unit 2, a picking unit 3, an inspection unit 4, a first touch panel 5, a tray conveying unit 6, and a tray storage unit 7.

[0012] The main body unit 2 stores drug sheets. Specifically, the main body unit 2 functions as a drug storage shelf capable of storing a plurality of cassettes Ca (see FIG. 3) containing drug sheets. Further, the main body unit 2 is a device that transfers the stored cassette Ca to the picking unit 3 and transfers the cassette Ca returned from the picking unit 3 to the original storage position by using a main body cassette transfer unit 22 (cassette conveying unit; 22a and 22b in FIG. 4(b)). In other words, the main body unit 2 functions as a cassette handling device that delivers and receives the cassette Ca to and from the picking unit 3.

[0013] The main body unit 2 can store drug sheets of types (e.g., about 1500 to 2000 types) assumed to be used in a single facility such as a hospital or a pharmacy. In the present embodiment, the main body unit 2 is described as storing drug sheets (e.g., PTP (Press Through Package) sheets) as drugs, but it is not necessarily limited to this. For example, the main body unit 2 may store any drug as long as it can be stored in the main body unit 2, such as ointment or eye drops.

[0014] The picking unit 3 is a device that dispenses the drug sheets stored in the main body unit 2. In order to realize the dispensing of the drug sheets, the picking unit 3 functions as a device for performing a picking operation for the user to take out the drug sheets. Further, the picking unit 3 functions as a device for performing a filling operation for the user to fill the drug sheets into the main body unit 2. In other words, the picking unit 3 is a device (a drug handling device that enables the user to handle the drug sheets) for the user to take out the drug sheets from the cassette Ca stored in the main body unit 2 or to fill the drug sheets into the cassette Ca.

[0015] The picking unit 3 includes a second touch panel 31, a drug receiving and delivering unit 32, a drug input unit 331, and an imaging unit 335. The picking unit 3 transfers the cassette Ca transferred from the main body unit 2 to the drug receiving and delivering unit 32 using a picking cassette transfer unit 35 (cassette transfer unit; see FIG. 10). The user takes out the drug sheets from the cassette Ca transferred to the drug receiving and delivering unit 32 and inputs them into the drug input unit 331 while checking the display content of the second touch panel 31. The input drug sheets are imaged by the imaging unit 335 and then dispensed (input) onto the conveyance tray Tr and conveyed to the inspection unit 4 by the tray conveyance unit 6.

[0016] Further, the picking unit 3 includes a barcode reader 34. The barcode reader 34 is a device that reads the barcode (e.g., GS1 code) attached to the drug sheet when the filling operation is performed. The barcode reader 34 is attached to the side wall of the picking unit 3 so as not to obstruct the user's work on the workbench 36 (see FIG. 9). Note that the picking unit 3 only needs to be provided with a reading device capable of reading drug identification information for identifying the drug sheets.

[0017] The inspection unit 4 is a device for a user (a qualified person such as a pharmacist) to perform a final inspection on the drug sheet dispensed from the main body unit 2. The inspection unit 4 includes a first storage shelf 41a, a second storage shelf 41b, a third storage shelf 41c, and an inspection table 42. The transport tray Tr transported from the tray transport unit 6 is stored in the first storage shelf 41a or the second storage shelf 41b.

[0018] The first storage shelf 41a is a shelf that stores the transport tray Tr when all the drug sheets indicated in the prescription data related to the administration to one patient (hereinafter simply referred to as "prescription data") are dispensed from the main body unit 2 to the transport tray Tr. The second storage shelf 41b is a shelf that stores the transport tray Tr when not all but a part of the drug sheets indicated in the prescription data are dispensed from the main body unit 2 to the transport tray Tr (when prescribing drugs other than the drug sheets stored in the main body unit 2). For drugs not stored in the main body unit 2 (e.g., powders or aqueous solutions), the user separately stores them in the transport tray Tr, and the transport tray Tr is stored in the third storage shelf 41c. That is, the third storage shelf 41c is a shelf that stores the transport tray Tr containing drugs other than the drug sheets stored in the main body unit 2.

[0019] In this specification, "prescription data related to the administration to one patient" is assumed to refer to any one of the following (1) to (3), for example.

[0020] (1) Data related to the drugs administered to one patient (prescription data per patient unit).

[0021] (2) Data related to one dose of the drugs administered to one patient (prescription data per prescription unit).

[0022] (3) When a classification is assigned at the time of prescription for one dose of the drugs administered to one patient, data related to the classification (prescription data per 1RP (recipe) unit).

[0023] The inspection table 42 is a table for the user to perform a final inspection of the drug sheets stored in the transport tray Tr taken out from the first storage shelf 41a, the second storage shelf 41b, or the third storage shelf 41c. As described above, all the drug sheets based on the prescription data are stored in the transport tray Tr stored in the first storage shelf 41a. Therefore, the user takes out the transport tray Tr from the first storage shelf 41a to the inspection table 42 and performs a final inspection. On the other hand, not all the drug sheets based on the prescription data are stored in the transport tray Tr stored in the second storage shelf 41b, and the remaining drugs are stored in the third storage shelf 41c. Therefore, the user takes out the transport trays Tr storing the drugs corresponding to the patient from the second storage shelf 41b and the third storage shelf 41c to the inspection table 42 respectively and performs a final inspection.

[0024] The first touch panel 5 is a display device for displaying various information related to the drug station 1 and also functions as an input device for receiving user input. However, the first touch panel 5 may function only as a display device. The tray transport unit 6 is a device for transporting the transport tray Tr storing the drug sheets dispensed from the picking unit 3 to the first storage shelf 41a and the second storage shelf 41b of the inspection unit 4. A protection plate (e.g., an acrylic plate) for protecting the transported transport tray Tr is provided above the tray transport unit 6. The tray storage unit 7 is a storage unit for storing the transport tray Tr.

[0025] <Operation example of drug station 1> Hereinafter, an operation example of the drug station 1 according to the present embodiment will be described.

[0026] (Operation at the time of drug dispensing) First, when prescription data is read into the drug station 1, the main body cassette transfer unit 22 of the main body unit 2 grips the cassette Ca storing the drug sheets to be prescribed (dispensed) from among the cassettes Ca stored in the main body unit 2 and places it on the cassette holding unit 23 (see (a) of FIG. 4).

[0027] The cassette Ca placed on the cassette holding part 23 is transferred to the medicine transfer part 32 by the picking cassette transfer part 35. The user checks the second touch panel 31 and takes out a predetermined quantity of medicine sheets from the cassette Ca at the medicine transfer part 32. At this time, the user who performs the picking operation does not necessarily have qualifications such as a pharmacist.

[0028] The user wraps the taken-out medicine sheets into a predetermined shape and puts them into the medicine input part 331. Then, the control device 10 (see Figure 2) determines whether a predetermined quantity of medicine sheets has been put in based on the imaging result of the imaging part 335. Specifically, the control device 10 makes the above determination based on the imaging result of the imaging part 335 and the weighing result of the medicine sheets by the weighing part 336 (see Figure 9) described later.

[0029] Note that the predetermined shape refers to, for example, the following shapes. However, the predetermined shape is not limited to the following shapes, and any shape that can accurately recognize the number of medicines based on the captured image is acceptable.

[0030] (1) When there is one or more medicine sheets, the predetermined shape refers to the planar shape of the medicine sheet.

[0031] (2) When there is only the fractional amount of medicine, the predetermined shape refers to the planar shape of the fractional amount of medicine (e.g., the amount for 2 tablets).

[0032] (3) When wrapping one or more medicine sheets and the fractional amount of medicine together, the predetermined shape refers to the planar shape when the fractional amount of medicine is placed on one or more medicine sheets. For example, when dispensing 22 tablets of medicine, where one medicine sheet consists of 10 tablets, the predetermined shape is the shape where two medicine sheets are stacked and the remaining 2 tablets are placed on top.

[0033] When it is determined that a predetermined quantity of medicine sheets has been loaded, the picking unit 3 dispenses the medicine sheets onto the transport tray Tr. When all of the medicine sheets included in the prescription data have been dispensed onto the transport tray Tr, the tray transport unit 6 transports the transport tray Tr to the first storage shelf 41a or the second storage shelf 41b of the inspection unit 4.

[0034] After that, the transport tray Tr stored in the first storage shelf 41a, the second storage shelf 41b, or the third storage shelf 41c is moved to the inspection table 42 by the user, and a final inspection is performed. The final inspection is performed by a qualified person such as a pharmacist.

[0035] (Operations during medicine filling) First, the user uses the barcode reader 34 to input the medicine identification information of the medicine sheets to be filled into the main body unit 2 to the drug station 1. Upon receiving the input of this medicine identification information, in the main body unit 2, the main body cassette transfer unit 22 transfers the cassette Ca to be filled to the cassette holding unit 23 based on the medicine identification information.

[0036] In the picking unit 3, the picking cassette transfer unit 35 transfers the cassette Ca placed on the cassette holding unit 23 to the medicine transfer unit 32. The user inserts the medicine sheets into the cassette Ca transferred to the medicine transfer unit 32. When the insertion of the medicine sheets into the cassette Ca is completed (for example, when the completion operation is received on the second touch panel 31), the picking cassette transfer unit 35 transfers the cassette Ca to the cassette holding unit 23. After that, in the main body unit 2, the main body cassette transfer unit 22 returns the cassette Ca placed on the cassette holding unit 23 to the cassette shelf 21.

[0037] Note that the operation of filling the medicine sheets is performed by a qualified person such as a pharmacist.

[0038] <Main components of the drug station> Next, the main components of the drug station 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the main components of the drug station 1. Note that the description of the members described in FIG. 1 will be omitted.

[0039] The main body unit 2 includes a cassette shelf 21, a main body cassette transfer unit 22, and a cassette holding unit 23.

[0040] The cassette shelf 21 is a drug storage shelf capable of storing a plurality of cassettes Ca. In the present embodiment, the cassette shelf 21 can store cassettes Ca of different sizes (types). FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of the cassette Ca that can be stored in the cassette shelf 21. (a) is a perspective view showing an example of a large cassette Ca1, (b) is a perspective view showing an example of a medium cassette Ca2, (c) is a perspective view showing an example of a small cassette Ca3, and (d) is a cross-sectional view showing an example of a large cassette Ca1.

[0041] The large cassette Ca1 includes partition portions Ca11 that form a plurality of locations where drug sheets can be stored. Thereby, a plurality of types of drug sheets can be stored in one large cassette Ca1. In the present embodiment, four partition portions Ca11 are provided in the large cassette Ca1, and five storage areas (storage positions) for drug sheets are formed. The medium cassette Ca2 is a cassette that is smaller than the width (length in the short side direction) of the large cassette Ca1 and larger than the width of the small cassette Ca3. Also, partition portions Ca21 are provided in the medium cassette Ca2 (two storage areas are formed in the present embodiment).

[0042] Note that partition portions may also be provided in the small cassette Ca3, and a plurality of storage areas may be formed. Also, partition portions may not be provided in the large cassette Ca1 and the medium cassette Ca2, and the large cassette Ca1 and the medium cassette Ca2 may function as cassettes capable of storing one type of drug sheet. Also, the types of the cassette Ca are not limited to three types, and two types or four or more types of cassettes having different widths may be prepared, or there may be one type.

[0043] Further, a claw receiving portion Ca12 is provided on a side wall (longitudinal end portion) extending in the short side direction of the large cassette Ca1. The claw receiving portion Ca12 engages with a claw portion 2212 (see FIG. 6) of the main body cassette transfer portion 22 and a protrusion 351a (see (b) of FIG. 10) of the picking cassette transfer portion 35. When the claw receiving portion Ca12 engages with the claw portion 2212 or the protrusion 351a, the cassette Ca can be taken out from or placed on the cassette shelf 21 or the cassette holding portion 23 by the main body cassette transfer portion 22 and the picking cassette transfer portion 35.

[0044] Further, a notch portion Ca13 is provided in the claw receiving portion Ca12. By the position sensor 2214 (see FIG. 6) detecting the position of the notch portion Ca13, the main body cassette transfer portion 22 can transfer the cassette gripping portion 221 (cassette gripping mechanism; see FIG. 6) to the front face of the large cassette Ca1 to be transferred. Therefore, the large cassette Ca1 can be surely taken out.

[0045] Further, RFID (Radio Frequency Identifier) tags (not shown) are provided on the two claw receiving portions Ca12 provided at both longitudinal ends of the large cassette Ca1. Claw receiving portion identification information for identifying each claw receiving portion Ca12 is recorded in each RFID tag.

[0046] When the cassette Ca is taken out from one claw receiving portion Ca12 side and when the cassette Ca is taken out from the other claw receiving portion Ca12 side, the orientation of the cassette Ca when placed on the medicine delivery portion 32 is different. When a plurality of types of medicine sheets are stored in one cassette Ca like the large cassette Ca1, the positional relationship of the medicine sheets with respect to the medicine delivery portion 32 changes depending on the orientation in which it is placed. Therefore, when the control device 10 cannot recognize the orientation to be placed, there is a possibility that the shutter 322 cannot be opened in accordance with the storage position of the medicine sheet to be taken out.

[0047] As described above, by recording the claw receiving part identification information and providing an RFID reader (not shown) in the main body cassette transfer part 22 (e.g., cassette drawing part 2211 (see FIG. 6)), when the cassette Ca is taken out from the cassette shelf 21, the control device 10 can determine the orientation of the cassette Ca based on the claw receiving part identification information read by the RFID reader from the RFID tag. Therefore, the control device 10 can open the shutter 322 in accordance with the storage position of the drug sheet to be taken out in the drug delivery part 32.

[0048] Note that the claw receiving part Ca12, the notch part Ca13, and the RFID tag are also provided in the medium-sized cassette Ca2 and the small-sized cassette Ca3. That is, they are provided in all the cassettes Ca stored in the cassette shelf 21.

[0049] Also, the RFID reader may be provided in the picking cassette transfer part 35 (e.g., the protrusion part 351a (see FIG. 10(b))). In this case, when the cassette Ca is taken out from the delivery cassette holding part 231 (the state in FIG. 11(c)), the control device 10 can determine the orientation of the cassette Ca based on the claw receiving part identification information read by the RFID reader from the RFID tag in the same manner as above.

[0050] The main body cassette transfer unit 22 transfers the cassette Ca between the cassette shelf 21 and the cassette holding unit 23. When dispensing the drug sheet, the main body cassette transfer unit 22 takes out, for example, the cassette Ca containing the drug sheet included in the prescription data from the cassette shelf 21 and transfers it to the cassette holding unit 23. Then, the main body cassette transfer unit 22 transfers the cassette Ca (the cassette Ca on which a predetermined number of drug sheets have been taken out in the picking unit 3 and returned from the picking unit 3) placed on the cassette holding unit 23 to the cassette shelf 21. Also, when filling the drug sheet, the main body cassette transfer unit 22 takes out the cassette Ca in which the drug sheet indicated by the drug identification information read by the barcode reader 34 is to be stored from the cassette shelf 21 and transfers it to the cassette holding unit 23. Then, the main body cassette transfer unit 22 transfers the cassette Ca (the cassette Ca on which the drug sheet has been filled in the picking unit 3 and returned from the picking unit 3) placed on the cassette holding unit 23 to the cassette shelf 21.

[0051] By providing the main body cassette transfer unit 22, the cassette Ca can be taken out from the cassette shelf 21 and transferred to the picking unit 3, and the cassette Ca can be returned to the cassette shelf 21.

[0052] The cassette holding unit 23 temporarily holds the cassette Ca transferred from the cassette shelf 21 or the picking unit 3 (a buffer). The cassette holding unit 23 includes a delivery cassette holding unit 231 and a receiving cassette holding unit 232. The delivery cassette holding unit 231 temporarily holds the cassette Ca taken out from the cassette shelf 21 and delivered to the drug delivery unit 32 of the picking unit 3. The receiving cassette holding unit 232 temporarily holds the cassette Ca received from the drug delivery unit 32 and returned to the cassette shelf 21. That is, the delivery cassette holding unit 231 and the receiving cassette holding unit 232 each function as a mounting table for temporarily mounting the cassette Ca.

[0053] In the cassette shelf 21, the cassettes Ca containing the drug sheets with higher usage frequencies may be stored closer to the cassette holding portion 23. In this case, it becomes possible to take out and return the cassettes Ca containing the drug sheets with higher usage frequencies more quickly.

[0054] The picking unit 3 includes a second touch panel 31, a drug receiving and delivering portion 32, a drug dispensing portion 33, a barcode reader 34, and a picking cassette transfer portion 35.

[0055] Similar to the first touch panel 5, the second touch panel 31 displays various information regarding the drag station 1 and accepts user input. For example, when dispensing a drug sheet, the second touch panel 31 displays the type and quantity of the drug sheet to be taken out from the drug receiving and delivering portion 32. Also, when filling a drug sheet, the second touch panel 31 accepts an input operation for designating the type of the drug sheet to be filled or the cassette Ca containing the drug sheet.

[0056] The drug receiving and delivering portion 32 enables a user to take out a drug sheet from the cassette Ca or to insert a drug sheet into the cassette Ca (enables the user to receive and deliver a drug sheet). In the present embodiment, the drug receiving and delivering portion 32 includes an opening 321 and a shutter 322.

[0057] The opening 321 is an opening that enables a user to access the cassette Ca transferred to the drug receiving and delivering portion 32 (take out or fill a drug sheet). The shutter 322 is provided at the opening 321 and controls the user's access to the cassette Ca. The shutter 322 is normally closed and opens when the cassette Ca is transferred to the drug receiving and delivering portion 32. Also, the shutter 322 can change the opening width according to the cassette Ca that is the target for taking out or filling (inserting) a drug sheet.

[0058] In this embodiment, it is described that the user directly accesses the cassette Ca transferred to the drug transfer unit 32. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a configuration in which the user indirectly accesses the cassette Ca may be adopted. For example, the picking unit 3 may be provided with a drug transfer mechanism that, under the control of the control device 10, takes out a drug sheet from the cassette Ca transferred to the drug transfer unit 32 and places it on the workbench 36, or inserts a drug sheet provided by the user into the cassette Ca. In this case, the user accesses the cassette Ca transferred to the drug transfer unit 32 via the drug transfer mechanism.

[0059] Also, in this embodiment, the drug transfer unit 32 is described as being capable of both taking out a drug sheet from the cassette Ca and inserting a drug sheet into the cassette Ca. However, the drug transfer unit 32 may be capable of only taking out a drug sheet or only inserting a drug sheet. That is, the drug transfer unit 32 may function as a dedicated drug sheet taking-out unit capable of taking out a drug sheet from the cassette Ca, or may function as a dedicated drug sheet inserting unit capable of inserting a drug sheet into the cassette Ca. Further, when the picking unit 3 includes only the drug transfer unit 32 as a dedicated drug sheet taking-out unit, the picking unit 3 functions as a dedicated drug sheet taking-out device capable of only taking out a drug sheet from the cassette Ca. On the other hand, when the picking unit 3 includes only the drug transfer unit 32 as a dedicated drug sheet inserting unit, the picking unit 3 functions as a dedicated drug sheet inserting device capable of only inserting a drug sheet into the cassette Ca.

[0060] The drug dispensing unit 33 dispenses the drug sheet taken out from the drug transfer unit 32 onto the transport tray Tr. The drug dispensing unit 33 includes a drug input unit 331, a drug transport unit 332, an upper shutter 333, a lower shutter 334, an imaging unit 335, and a weighing unit 336.

[0061] The drug input unit 331 is an opening that enables the input of the drug sheet taken out from the drug transfer unit 32. The drug conveyance unit 332 conveys the drug input into the drug input unit 331 to the conveyance tray Tr.

[0062] When the upper shutter 333 is in the closed state, it temporarily holds the drug sheet conveyed by the drug conveyance unit 332, and when it is in the open state, it drops the held drug sheet onto the lower shutter 334. When the lower shutter 334 is in the closed state, it temporarily holds the drug sheet from the upper shutter 333, and when it is in the open state, it drops the held drug sheet onto the conveyance tray Tr. Note that the opening and closing timings of the upper shutter 333 and the lower shutter 334 are adjusted so that the drug sheet can be dropped at a predetermined position of the conveyance tray Tr.

[0063] The imaging unit 335 images the drug sheet that is input into the drug input unit 331 and placed on the drug conveyance unit 332. The weighing unit 336 weighs the drug sheet that is input into the drug input unit 331 and placed on the drug conveyance unit 332. As the weighing unit 336, for example, a load cell is used. Note that a plurality of load cells may be provided as the weighing unit 336. In this case, the control device 10 may, for example, compare the values measured by the plurality of load cells, and if a difference of a predetermined value or more occurs, cause the second touch panel 31 to display an error as if any one of the load cells has failed.

[0064] The picking cassette transfer unit 35 transfers the cassette Ca between the main body unit 2 and the picking unit 3 (specifically, between the cassette holding unit 23 and the drug transfer unit 32). Thereby, the cassette Ca can be taken out from the main body unit 2 and transferred to the drug transfer unit 32, and the cassette Ca can be returned to the main body unit 2.

[0065] For example, when dispensing a drug sheet, the picking cassette transfer unit 35 transfers the cassette Ca (the cassette Ca placed on the delivery cassette holding unit 231), which is the target for taking out or filling drugs in the drug transfer unit 32, to the drug transfer position P1 (see Fig. 11) of the drug transfer unit 32. Further, when the cassette Ca is located at the drug transfer position P1, the picking cassette transfer unit 35 transfers the next cassette Ca, which is the target for taking out or filling drugs, to the standby position P2 (see Fig. 11) provided near the drug transfer unit 32 and makes it standby. Also, the picking cassette transfer unit 35 transfers the cassette Ca from which the drug sheet has been taken out in the drug transfer unit 32 to the receiving cassette holding unit 232.

[0066] The control device 10 comprehensively controls each unit of the drug station 1. The control device 10 includes a main body unit control section 11, a picking unit control section 12, a conveyance control section 13, a touch panel control section 14, and a storage section 15.

[0067] The main body unit control section 11 comprehensively controls each part of the main body unit 2. The main body unit control section 11 includes a cassette identification section 111 and a main body cassette transfer control section 112.

[0068] The cassette identification section 111 identifies the cassette Ca to be taken out from the cassette shelf 21 based on the prescription data, user input, or the reading result of the barcode reader 34. Also, the cassette identification section 111 identifies the orientation of the cassette Ca based on the claw receiving part identification information read by the RFID reader.

[0069] The main body cassette transfer control section 112 controls the drive of the main body cassette transfer section 22. Specifically, the main body cassette transfer control section 112 controls the main body cassette transfer section 22 to transfer the cassette Ca identified by the cassette identification section 111 to the delivery cassette holding unit 231. Also, the main body cassette transfer control section 112 transfers the cassette Ca placed on the receiving cassette holding unit 232 to the storage position (original position) of the cassette Ca.

[0070] When controlling the main body cassette transfer unit 22 based on the prescription data, the main body cassette transfer control unit 112 causes the cassette Ca containing the drug sheet included in the prescription data, which is specified by the cassette specifying unit 111, to be transferred to the delivery cassette holding unit 231. Thereafter, the cassette Ca transferred from the drug delivery unit 32 to the receiving cassette holding unit 232 by the picking cassette transfer unit 35 of the picking unit 3 is transferred to the storage position of the cassette Ca.

[0071] The picking unit control unit 12 comprehensively controls each part of the picking unit 3. The picking unit control unit 12 includes a picking cassette transfer control unit 121, a shutter control unit 122, a drug dispensing control unit 123, and a drug determination unit 124.

[0072] The picking cassette transfer control unit 121 controls the driving of the picking cassette transfer unit 35 based on the prescription data, user input, or the reading result of the barcode reader 34. When controlling the picking cassette transfer unit 35 based on the prescription data, the picking cassette transfer control unit 121 transfers the cassette Ca that is the extraction target of the drug sheet included in the prescription data to the drug delivery position P1 or the standby position P2.

[0073] The shutter control unit 122 controls the opening and closing operation of the shutter 322. The drug dispensing control unit 123 controls the driving of each part of the drug dispensing unit 33 (specifically, the drug conveyance unit 332, the upper shutter 333, the lower shutter 334, and the imaging unit 335).

[0074] The drug determination unit 124 determines whether the specified number of drug sheets specified by the prescription data have been loaded into the drug input unit 331 based on the image of the drug sheet captured by the imaging unit 335 and the weight of the drug sheet measured by the weighing unit 336. The drug determination unit 124 analyzes the above image and identifies the shape of the drug sheet placed on the drug conveyance unit 332, thereby identifying the fractional amount of the drug. Since the shape of the drug sheet for each drug type is stored in the storage unit 15 in advance, the drug determination unit 124 can calculate the fraction by comparing the identified shape by image analysis with the shape. Also, since the weight per drug sheet for each drug type is stored in the storage unit 15 in advance, the drug determination unit 124 can calculate the number of tablets of the drug loaded into the drug input unit 331 based on the measured weight of the drug sheet.

[0075] The conveyance control unit 13 controls the drive of the tray conveyance unit 6. The touch panel control unit 14 controls the displays of the first touch panel 5 and the second touch panel 31.

[0076] The storage unit 15 stores various data required by the control device 10. In the storage unit 15, for example, data indicating the shape of the drug sheet and the weight per drug sheet are stored. Also, the storage unit 15 stores, for example, (1) Data associating the cassette identification information of the cassette Ca with the storage position of the cassette Ca in the cassette shelf 21, (2) Data associating the cassette identification information of the cassette Ca (or the storage position information indicating the storage position in the cassette Ca) with the drug identification information of the drug sheet, (3) Type information indicating the type of each cassette Ca, is stored.

[0077] Note that examples of the type information include information indicating the large cassette Ca1, the medium cassette Ca2, or the small cassette Ca3. Also, the storage position information defines, for example, the storage position (e.g., the distance from the one end of the cassette Ca) from one end of the cassette Ca.

[0078] In addition, the imaging unit 335 captures and stores the images in the memory unit 15. As a result, evidence for the picking operation can be retained.

[0079] <Structure of the main body unit> Next, the specific structure of the main body unit 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 8. FIG. 4(a) is a perspective view showing an example of the main body unit 2, and FIG. 4(b) is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of the main body cassette transfer unit 22. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of storing the cassette Ca.

[0080] (Cassette shelf and cassette transfer unit) As shown in FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b), the cassette shelf 21 can store the cassettes Ca in a matrix along a vertical plane. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the cassette shelf 21 includes a plurality of cassette mounting plates 211 on which the cassettes Ca are placed, and a mounting plate support portion 212 that supports each cassette mounting plate 211.

[0081] In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the same type of cassette Ca is placed on each cassette mounting plate 211. That is, the width of the cassette mounting plate 211 (the length in the X-axis direction) and the widths of the large cassette Ca1, the medium cassette Ca2, and the small cassette Ca3 are defined so that the same type of cassette Ca can be placed on each cassette mounting plate 211. In the example of FIG. 5, the same type of cassette Ca is placed on each cassette mounting plate 211, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the above two widths may be defined so that different types of cassettes Ca can be placed.

[0082] Also, as shown in FIG. 4(a), the cassette shelf 21 is provided such that the first cassette shelf 21a and the second cassette shelf 21b face each other. And a main body cassette transfer unit 22 is provided between the first cassette shelf 21a and the second cassette shelf 21b. In the same figure, an example is shown in which a first main body cassette transfer unit 22a and a second main body cassette transfer unit 22b are provided as the main body cassette transfer unit 22.

[0083] The main body cassette transfer unit 22, under the control of the main body cassette transfer control unit 112, pulls out the cassettes Ca stored in the first cassette shelf 21a and the second cassette shelf 21b, and then places them on the cassette holding unit 23 (specifically, the delivery cassette holding unit 231). Also, the main body cassette transfer unit 22 pulls out the cassette Ca placed on the cassette holding unit 23 (specifically, the receiving cassette holding unit 232), and then returns it to the first cassette shelf 21a or the second cassette shelf 21b. Thereby, the taking-out or returning of the cassette Ca can be realized with respect to the cassette shelf 21 that stores the cassettes Ca in a matrix along the vertical plane. Note that the main body cassette transfer control unit 112 independently controls the first main body cassette transfer unit 22a and the second main body cassette transfer unit 22b respectively.

[0084] Also, as shown in FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b), the first main body cassette transfer unit 22a includes a first cassette gripping part 221a (cassette gripping part) and a first cassette transfer mechanism 222a. Similarly, the second main body cassette transfer unit 22b includes a second cassette gripping part 221b (cassette gripping part) and a second cassette transfer mechanism 222b.

[0085] The first cassette gripping part 221a and the second cassette gripping part 221b, under the control of the main body cassette transfer control unit 112, pull out and grip the cassette Ca from the cassette shelf 21 or the cassette holding unit 23 (specifically, the receiving cassette holding unit 232). Also, the first cassette gripping part 221a and the second cassette gripping part 221b move in the vertical and / or horizontal directions to transfer the gripped cassette Ca to the cassette shelf 21 or the cassette holding unit 23 (specifically, the delivery cassette holding unit 231), and place it on the cassette shelf 21 or the delivery cassette holding unit 231.

[0086] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of the cassette gripping portion 221 (the first cassette gripping portion 221a and the second cassette gripping portion 221b). FIGS. 7(a) to 7(c) are diagrams showing operation examples of the cassette gripping portion 221. As shown in FIG. 6, the cassette gripping portion 221 includes a cassette drawing portion 2211, a claw portion 2212, a cassette support portion 2213, a position sensor 2214, and a rotation drive portion 2215.

[0087] As shown in FIG. 6, the cassette drawing portion 2211 draws the cassette Ca placed on the cassette shelf 21 or the cassette holding portion 23 into the cassette gripping portion 221 under the control of the main body cassette transfer control portion 112. The cassette drawing portion 2211 is slidably supported by a rail (not shown) provided to extend in the depth direction of the cassette gripping portion 221 below the cassette gripping portion 221, and thus moves in the depth direction. Thereby, the cassette Ca can be drawn out from the cassette shelf 21 or the cassette holding portion 23 and delivered to the cassette shelf 21 or the cassette holding portion 23.

[0088] The claw portion 2212 is a member for hooking on a claw receiving portion Ca12 provided on the cassette Ca. As shown in FIG. 7(a), when the cassette gripping portion 221 is positioned in front of the cassette Ca to be moved, the main body cassette transfer control portion 112 moves the cassette drawing portion 2211 so that the claw portion 2212 is positioned below the claw receiving portion Ca12, as shown in FIG. 7(b). Thereafter, the main body cassette transfer control portion 112 raises the cassette gripping portion 221. Thereby, the claw portion 2212 is temporarily locked to the claw receiving portion Ca12. In this state, the main body cassette transfer control portion 112 moves the cassette drawing portion 2211 back to the original position as shown in FIG. 7(c), thereby drawing the cassette Ca into the cassette gripping portion 221.

[0089] When placing the held cassette Ca on the cassette shelf 21 or the cassette holding portion 23, an operation reverse to the case of pulling in the cassette Ca is performed. That is, in the state of FIG. 7(c), the main body cassette transfer control unit 112 moves the cassette gripping portion 221 to the position where the cassette Ca is to be placed, and then, as shown in FIG. 7(b), moves the cassette drawing portion 2211 in front of the cassette gripping portion 221. Thereafter, the main body cassette transfer control unit 112 lowers the cassette gripping portion 221 to release the temporary locking between the claw portion 2212 and the claw receiving portion Ca12. Thereafter, the main body cassette transfer control unit 112 moves the cassette drawing portion 2211 back to the original position as shown in FIG. 7(a).

[0090] Returning to FIG. 6, the cassette support portion 2213 supports the cassette Ca drawn out by the cassette drawing portion 2211.

[0091] The position sensor 2214 detects that the cassette gripping portion 221 is located on the front surface of the cassette Ca to be moved. The position sensor 2214 includes, for example, a light emitting portion that emits light and a light receiving portion that receives the light. As described above, the cassette Ca is provided with the notch portion Ca13. The stop position of the cassette gripping portion 221 and the storage position (placement position) of the cassette Ca are positioned such that the light emitted from the position sensor 2214 is irradiated to the notch portion Ca13 in a state where the cassette gripping portion 221 is located on the front surface of the cassette Ca to be moved.

[0092] Therefore, when the cassette gripping portion 221 is located on the front surface of the cassette Ca, light is irradiated onto the notch Ca13, so the light receiving portion does not receive light. In this case, the position sensor 2214 detects that the cassette gripping portion 221 is located on the front surface of the cassette Ca. On the other hand, when the cassette gripping portion 221 is located at a position deviated from the front surface of the cassette Ca, light is not irradiated onto the notch Ca13, and light is irradiated onto the wall surface of the claw receiving portion Ca12. Therefore, the light receiving portion receives the light reflected by the wall surface. In this case, the position sensor 2214 cannot detect that the cassette gripping portion 221 is located on the front surface of the cassette Ca. Therefore, the main body cassette transfer control unit 112 moves the cassette gripping portion 221 so that the position sensor 2214 detects that the cassette gripping portion 221 is located on the front surface of the cassette Ca. That is, the main body cassette transfer control unit 112 finely adjusts the position of the cassette gripping portion 221 so that the light emitted from the position sensor 2214 is irradiated onto the notch Ca13 and the light is not received. Thereby, the cassette gripping portion 221 can surely pull out the cassette Ca.

[0093] The rotation drive unit 2215 rotates the cassette gripping portion 221 about the vertical direction as the rotation axis so that the cassette gripping portion 221 (specifically, the cassette pulling-out portion 2211) can move to the first cassette shelf 21a, the second cassette shelf 21b, or the cassette holding portion 23.

[0094] Specifically, the rotation drive unit 2215 rotates the cassette gripping portion 221 under the control of the main body cassette transfer control unit 112 so that the cassette pulling-out portion 2211 faces the take-out position or the placement position while or after the cassette gripping portion 221 moves to the take-out position or the placement position of the cassette Ca. Thereby, the cassette Ca can be taken out from the take-out position or placed on the placement position.

[0095] For example, the rotational drive unit 2215 rotates the cassette gripping unit 221 so that the cassette drawing unit 2211 faces the storage position of the cassette Ca to be taken out in the first cassette shelf 21a or the second cassette shelf 21b, and then draws out the cassette Ca from the storage position. Thereby, the cassette Ca can be taken out from either the first cassette shelf 21a or the second cassette shelf 21b arranged along different vertical planes.

[0096] Returning to FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b), the first cassette transfer mechanism 222a includes a first beam portion 223a and a first support column portion 224a. Similarly, the second cassette transfer mechanism 222b includes a second beam portion 223b and a second support column portion 224b.

[0097] The first beam portion 223a and the second beam portion 223b each extend in the width direction (X-axis direction) of the cassette shelf 21 and slidably support the first support column portion 224a and the second support column portion 224b. The first support column portion 224a and the second support column portion 224b each extend in the height direction (Z-axis direction) of the cassette shelf 21 and slidably support the first cassette gripping portion 221a and the second cassette gripping portion 221b.

[0098] In addition, the first beam portion 223a and the second beam portion 223b are provided at a predetermined width interval. This predetermined width is set to a width such that the first cassette gripping portion 221a and the second cassette gripping portion 221b can each move along the width direction of the cassette shelf 21. Further, the predetermined width is set to a width such that the first cassette gripping portion 221a and the second cassette gripping portion 221b do not collide with the first cassette shelf 21a and the second cassette shelf 21b even when they rotate about the vertical direction as the rotation axis. Note that by setting the predetermined width to be as small as possible, the miniaturization of the main body unit 2 can be achieved.

[0099] Then, the main body cassette transfer control unit 112 moves the first support column portion 224a along the first beam portion 223a and moves the first cassette gripping portion 221a along the first support column portion 224a (the same applies to the second cassette transfer mechanism 222b). Therefore, the desired cassette Ca can be moved between the cassette shelf 21 and the cassette holding portion 23.

[0100] Also, the main body cassette transfer control unit 112 controls the movement (position) of the first cassette gripping portion 221a and the second cassette gripping portion 221b so that the first cassette gripping portion 221a and the second cassette gripping portion 221b do not collide with each other.

[0101] Specifically, the first cassette gripping portion 221a and the second cassette gripping portion 221b are supported in a cantilever state on the first beam portion 223a and the second beam portion 223b provided at a predetermined width interval as described above. And the first cassette transfer mechanism 222a and the second cassette transfer mechanism 222b are controlled so as not to interfere in the movable regions of the first cassette gripping portion 221a and the second cassette gripping portion 221b (the region between the first beam portion 223a and the second beam portion 223b). Therefore, the first cassette gripping portion 221a and the second cassette gripping portion 221b can move so as not to collide with each other between the cassette shelf 21 (the storage position of the cassette Ca) and the cassette holding portion 23.

[0102] Therefore, the plurality of cassette gripping portions 221 enable the transfer of the cassette Ca between the cassette shelf 21 and the cassette holding portion 23, so that the transfer efficiency of the cassette Ca can be improved.

[0103] Note that the first cassette shelf 21a and the second cassette shelf 21b do not necessarily have to be provided so as to face each other. It is sufficient that the vertical planes for storing the cassettes Ca are arranged so as to be different from each other. By arranging them in this way, it is possible to save space for the storage locations of a large number of cassettes Ca. However, by arranging the first cassette shelf 21a and the second cassette shelf 21b to face each other, it is possible to store the cassettes Ca at high density while saving more space. Note that the number of cassette shelves 21 may be one, or may be three or more.

[0104] Also, the number of main body cassette transfer parts 22 is not limited to two, and may be one or three or more. However, by providing the first main body cassette transfer part 22a and the second main body cassette transfer part 22b and moving them so that the first cassette gripping part 221a and the second cassette gripping part 221b do not collide with each other, it is possible to efficiently transfer the cassette Ca in the large-capacity and small-sized main body unit 2.

[0105] (Cassette holding part) As shown in Fig. 4(a), in this embodiment, the cassette holding part 23 includes a first cassette holding part 23a, a second cassette holding part 23b, a third cassette holding part 23c, and a fourth cassette holding part 23d. In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 1, two picking units 3 are provided in the main body unit 2. Further, two medicine transfer parts 32 (four in total) are provided in each of the picking units 3. The first cassette holding part 23a, the second cassette holding part 23b, the third cassette holding part 23c, and the fourth cassette holding part 23d are provided so as to correspond to each of the four medicine transfer parts 32. In this way, it is sufficient that one cassette holding part 23 is provided for one medicine transfer part 32.

[0106] Also, as shown in FIG. 8, the cassette holding unit 23 is provided corresponding to the picking cassette transfer unit 35 included in the picking unit 3 so that the cassette Ca can be transferred between the cassette holding unit 23 and the medicine transfer unit 32. Specifically, a picking cassette transfer unit 35 is provided for each of the first cassette holding unit 23a, the second cassette holding unit 23b, the third cassette holding unit 23c, and the fourth cassette holding unit 23d. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of the main body unit 2 and the picking unit 3.

[0107] Also, as shown in FIG. 8, each of the first cassette holding unit 23a, the second cassette holding unit 23b, the third cassette holding unit 23c, and the fourth cassette holding unit 23d includes a delivery cassette holding unit 231 and a receiving cassette holding unit 232. In the example of FIG. 8, in one cassette holding unit 23 provided corresponding to one medicine transfer unit 32, two delivery cassette holding units 231 and two receiving cassette holding units 232 are provided alternately along the vertical direction. Note that in one cassette holding unit 23, three or more delivery cassette holding units 231 and three or more receiving cassette holding units 232 may be provided respectively.

[0108] In this way, a plurality of delivery cassette holding units 231 and a plurality of receiving cassette holding units 232 may be provided respectively for one medicine transfer unit 32. When a plurality of delivery cassette holding units 231 and a plurality of receiving cassette holding units 232 are provided respectively, it becomes possible to hold more cassettes Ca near the medicine transfer unit 32 to be transferred to the medicine transfer unit 32. Therefore, efficient transfer of the cassette Ca to the medicine transfer unit 32 can be realized. However, the delivery cassette holding unit 231 and the receiving cassette holding unit 232 may be configured such that one of each is provided for one medicine transfer unit 32.

[0109] (Parentheses) In this way, the main body unit 2 includes a cassette shelf 21, a delivery cassette holding unit 231, a receiving cassette holding unit 232, and a main body cassette transfer unit 22.

[0110] As a result, the cassette Ca in which the drug sheet is taken out or filled in the drug delivery / reception unit 32 can be transferred from the cassette shelf 21 to the delivery cassette holding unit 231 and can also be transferred from the receiving cassette holding unit 232 to the cassette shelf 21.

[0111] Also, even when the user is performing picking or filling work on the drug sheet with respect to the cassette Ca in the drug delivery / reception unit 32, the delivery cassette holding unit 231 can hold the cassette Ca that will be the work target in the drug delivery / reception unit 32 next to the cassette Ca. That is, before the above work is completed, the next cassette Ca can be taken out from the cassette shelf 21.

[0112] Also, the cassette Ca for which the above work has been completed in the drug delivery / reception unit 32 can be held in the receiving cassette holding unit 232. Therefore, even when the main body cassette transfer unit 22 is returning the previous cassette Ca, the cassette Ca can be held in the receiving cassette holding unit 232, so that the next cassette Ca can be transferred to the drug delivery / reception unit 32.

[0113] Therefore, the main body unit 2 can efficiently provide the user with the cassette Ca in which the drug sheet is taken out or filled by the user.

[0114] In this specification, the cassette holding unit 23 is described as being provided in the main body unit 2, but it may be provided in the picking unit 3. When it is provided in the picking unit 3, the location where the cassette holding unit 23 of the main body unit 2 shown in Fig. 4(a) is provided functions as an insertion part into which the cassette holding unit 23 provided in the picking unit 3 is inserted. That is, as long as the basic configuration of the above cassette handling device is realized by the cassette shelf 21, the main body cassette transfer unit 22, and the cassette holding unit 23.

[0115] <Structure of the picking unit> Next, with reference to FIGS. 9 to 14, the specific structure of the picking unit 3 will be described. FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing an example of the picking unit 3.

[0116] As shown in FIG. 9, the picking unit 3 includes a workbench 36 on which the user handles the drug sheet. The workbench 36 is provided with a drug receiving and delivering unit 32 having an opening 321 that enables the extraction or filling of the drug sheet, and a drug input unit 331 into which the drug sheet taken out from the opening 321 is inserted. Further, a picking cassette transfer unit 35 is provided below the drug receiving and delivering unit 32. Specifically, one picking cassette transfer unit 35 is provided for one drug receiving and delivering unit 32 (one opening 321 and a shutter 322 (see FIG. 8) provided corresponding to the opening 321).

[0117] In the present embodiment, the picking unit 3 is provided with a first drug receiving and delivering unit 32a and a second drug receiving and delivering unit 32b as the drug receiving and delivering units 32. Below the first drug receiving and delivering unit 32a, a picking cassette transfer unit 35 including a first picking cassette transfer unit 35a and a second picking cassette transfer unit 35b is provided. Below the second drug receiving and delivering unit 32b, a picking cassette transfer unit 35 including the first picking cassette transfer unit 35a is provided.

[0118] In the present embodiment, for example, when dispensing a drug sheet based on prescription data, in the picking unit 3, the first drug receiving and delivering unit 32a and the picking cassette transfer unit 35 provided below the first drug receiving and delivering unit 32a are used. In the main body unit 2, the first cassette holding unit 23a provided corresponding to the picking cassette transfer unit 35 is used.

[0119] As described above, the picking cassette transfer unit 35 is provided with a first picking cassette transfer unit 35a and a second picking cassette transfer unit 35b. Further, the first picking cassette transfer unit 35a and the second picking cassette transfer unit 35b are independently controlled by the picking cassette transfer control unit 121 so that the first cassette gripping unit 351 and the second cassette gripping unit 355 (see FIG. 10) move without colliding with each other. Therefore, compared with the case where the picking cassette transfer unit 35 is composed of a single picking cassette transfer unit, it is possible to efficiently dispense the drug sheet based on the prescription data.

[0120] On the other hand, the second drug transfer unit 32b, the picking cassette transfer unit 35 provided below the second drug transfer unit 32b, and the second cassette holding unit 23b are used when dispensing a drug sheet not included in the prescription data. That is, since the second drug transfer unit 32b side is used when dispensing an individual drug sheet (for example, when performing an interrupt process for prescription data), it is sufficient to provide only the first picking cassette transfer unit 35a.

[0121] Note that when dispensing a drug sheet based on prescription data, the second drug transfer unit 32b side may be used, and when dispensing an individual drug sheet, the first drug transfer unit 32a side may be used. Also, the first picking cassette transfer unit 35a and the second picking cassette transfer unit 35b may be provided on the second drug transfer unit 32b side, or the first drug transfer unit 32a side may have a configuration including only the first picking cassette transfer unit 35a. However, when a plurality of picking cassette transfer units are provided for one drug transfer unit 32, it is possible to efficiently dispense the drug sheet.

[0122] Also, regarding the case where the filling operation is performed, as an initial setting, the first drug transfer unit 32a side is used, but the second drug transfer unit 32b side may be used.

[0123] Also, it is not always necessary to provide a plurality of drug transfer units 32 in the picking unit 3, and only one drug transfer unit 32 may be provided in the picking unit 3. Further, it is not always necessary to provide a plurality of picking units 3 with respect to the main body unit 2, and a configuration in which only one picking unit 3 is provided with respect to the main body unit 2 may be acceptable. In this case, only the cassette holding portion 23 corresponding to one picking unit 3 may be provided in the main body unit 2.

[0124] Also, as shown in FIG. 9, an imaging unit 335 is provided above the drug input unit 331 on the workbench 36 so as to be able to image the drug sheet input into the drug input unit 331. Further, a drug transport unit 332, an upper shutter 333, a lower shutter 334, and a weighing unit 336 are provided below the drug input unit 331.

[0125] The workbench 36 is provided substantially horizontally, but it may be inclined with respect to the horizontal plane. For example, the workbench 36 may be inclined such that the user's standing position side is lower and the main body unit 2 side is higher. In this case, the picking cassette transfer unit 35 may operate the cassette gripping portion so that the opening surface of the inclined opening portion 321 and the upper surface of the cassette Ca gripped by the cassette gripping portion of the picking cassette transfer unit 35 are substantially parallel. For example, the picking cassette transfer unit 35 may include a mechanism for raising or lowering the cassette gripping portion in the drug transfer unit 32. The cassette gripping portion is shown in FIG. 10 as the first cassette gripping portion 351 and the second cassette gripping portion 355.

[0126] (Structure of the picking cassette transfer unit) The specific structure of the picking cassette transfer unit 35 will be described with reference to FIG. 10. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the picking cassette transfer unit 35. FIG. 10(a) is a perspective view showing an example of the picking cassette transfer unit 35 when viewed from the main body unit 2 side. FIG. 10(b) is a perspective view showing an example of the first picking cassette transfer unit 35a and the second picking cassette transfer unit 35b that constitute the picking cassette transfer unit 35. FIG. 10(c) is a plan view showing an example of the first picking cassette transfer unit 35a and the second picking cassette transfer unit 35b when viewed from the workbench 36 side. FIG. 10(d) is a diagram showing an example of the first picking cassette transfer unit 35a and the second picking cassette transfer unit 35b when viewed from the main body unit 2 side. Note that in FIG. 10, for the sake of convenience of explanation, only the picking cassette transfer unit 35 corresponding to the first drug transfer unit 32a is shown.

[0127] As shown in FIGS. 10(a) and 10(b), the picking cassette transfer unit 35 corresponding to the first drug transfer unit 32a includes a first picking cassette transfer unit 35a and a second picking cassette transfer unit 35b.

[0128] The first picking cassette transfer unit 35a and the second picking cassette transfer unit 35b are each a transfer mechanism that receives the cassette Ca placed on the delivery cassette holding unit 231 and transfers it to the first drug transfer unit 32a side. Further, the first picking cassette transfer unit 35a and the second picking cassette transfer unit 35b are each a transfer mechanism that transfers the cassette Ca existing on the first drug transfer unit 32a side to the receiving cassette holding unit 232.

[0129] As shown in FIG. 10(b), the first picking cassette transfer unit 35a includes a first cassette gripping unit 351 and a first cassette transfer mechanism 352.

[0130] The first cassette gripping part 351 is a member for gripping the cassette Ca. In the present embodiment, the first cassette gripping part 351 is constituted by a frame body, and a protrusion 351a that catches on the claw receiving part Ca12 (see FIG. 3) of the cassette Ca is provided on a side wall (longitudinal end) extending in the short side direction (X-axis direction) of the frame body. The frame body has a hollow part of such a size that when the first cassette gripping part 351 moves in the vertical direction, the bottom part of the cassette Ca and the cassette holding part 23 (here, the first cassette holding part 23a) can pass through and can be caught by the protrusion 351a. When the first cassette gripping part 351 moves vertically upward in the cassette holding part 23, the protrusion 351a catches on the claw receiving part Ca12 placed on the cassette holding part 23, so that the cassette Ca is gripped by the first cassette gripping part 351.

[0131] The first cassette transfer mechanism 352 is for moving the first cassette gripping part 351. The first cassette transfer mechanism 352 includes a first beam part 353 and a first support part 354. The first beam part 353 extends in the depth direction (Y-axis direction) of the picking unit 3 and slidably supports the first cassette gripping part 351. Further, the first support part 354 extends in the height direction (Z-axis direction) of the picking unit 3 and slidably supports the first beam part 353. The picking cassette transfer control part 121 moves the first beam part 353 along the first support part 354 and moves the first cassette gripping part 351 along the first beam part 353. Thereby, a desired cassette Ca can be moved between the cassette holding part 23 and the drug transfer part 32.

[0132] Further, as shown in FIG. 10(b), the second picking cassette transfer unit 35b includes a second cassette gripping unit 355 and a second cassette transfer mechanism 356. On the side wall extending in the short side direction of the second cassette gripping unit 355, similar to the first cassette gripping unit 351, a protrusion that catches on the claw receiving portion Ca12 of the cassette Ca is provided. Also, the second cassette transfer mechanism 356 includes a second beam portion 357 and a second support portion 358. The structures and functions of the second cassette gripping unit 355 and the second cassette transfer mechanism 356 are the same as those of the first cassette gripping unit 351 and the first cassette transfer mechanism 352, respectively.

[0133] Also, as shown in FIGS. 10(c) and 10(d), the first beam portion 353 and the second beam portion 357 are provided at a distance such that the first cassette gripping unit 351 and the second cassette gripping unit 355 can move along the depth direction of the picking unit 3.

[0134] Further, the picking cassette transfer control unit 121 controls the movement (position) of the first cassette gripping unit 351 and the second cassette gripping unit 355 so that the first cassette gripping unit 351 and the second cassette gripping unit 355 do not collide with each other.

[0135] Specifically, the first cassette gripping unit 351 and the second cassette gripping unit 355 are supported in a cantilever state on the first beam portion 353 and the second beam portion 357 provided separately as described above. And the first cassette transfer mechanism 352 and the second cassette transfer mechanism 356 are controlled so as not to interfere in the movable regions of the first cassette transfer mechanism 352 and the second cassette transfer mechanism 356 (the region between the first beam portion 353 and the second beam portion 357). Therefore, the first cassette gripping unit 351 and the second cassette gripping unit 355 can move so as not to collide with each other between the cassette holding unit 23 and the drug transfer unit 32.

[0136] Therefore, it is possible to transfer the cassette Ca between the cassette holding unit 23 and the drug transfer unit 32 by a plurality of cassette gripping units. Therefore, it is possible to improve the transfer efficiency of the cassette Ca.

[0137] Next, the gripping operation of the cassette Ca by the first picking cassette transfer unit 35a will be described with reference to FIG. 11. FIGS. 11(a) to 11(e) are diagrams showing the gripping operation of the cassette Ca by the first picking cassette transfer unit 35a.

[0138] First, in a state where the cassette Ca is placed on the delivery cassette holding unit 231, the first beam portion 353 moves vertically along the first support portion 354 so that the first cassette gripping portion 351 can be moved directly below the delivery cassette holding unit 231. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 11(a), the first cassette gripping portion 351 moves horizontally toward the delivery cassette holding unit 231 and stops at a position directly below the delivery cassette holding unit 231 as shown in FIG. 11(b).

[0139] Next, as shown in FIG. 11(c), as the first beam portion 353 moves vertically upward along the first support portion 354, after the delivery cassette holding unit 231 passes through the hollow portion of the first cassette gripping portion 351, the protrusion 351a of the first cassette gripping portion 351 catches on the claw receiving portion Ca12 of the cassette Ca and is temporarily locked. As a result, the first cassette gripping portion 351 can grip the cassette Ca.

[0140] Next, the first cassette gripping portion 351 moves along the first beam portion 353 so as to be positioned below the opening 321 while gripping the cassette Ca. Along with this movement, the first beam portion 353 moves vertically upward along the first support portion 354 so that the first cassette gripping portion 351 is positioned directly below the opening 321. As a result, as shown in FIG. 11(d), the first cassette gripping portion 351 can transfer the cassette Ca directly below the opening 321. Then, the user can take out the drug sheet from the cassette Ca gripped by the first cassette gripping portion 351 or fill the cassette Ca with the drug sheet.

[0141] Incidentally, the position directly below the opening 321 (that is, the position where the user can take out the drug sheet from the cassette Ca or fill the drug sheet into the cassette Ca) is referred to as the drug transfer position P1.

[0142] After the operation by the user at the drug transfer position P1 is completed, the first beam portion 353 moves vertically downward along the first support portion 354 so that the first cassette gripping portion 351 can be moved directly above the receiving cassette holding portion 232. Further, the first cassette gripping portion 351 moves along the first beam portion 353 toward the receiving cassette holding portion 232. Thereafter, an operation reverse to the operation in FIG. 11(c) is performed. That is, as the first beam portion 353 moves vertically downward along the first support portion 354, the cassette Ca is placed on the delivery cassette holding portion 231. At this time, the protrusion 351a separates from the claw receiving portion Ca12, and the temporary locking state is released. Thereafter, as the receiving cassette holding portion 232 passes through the hollow portion of the first cassette gripping portion 351, the first cassette gripping portion 351 becomes movable to the delivery cassette holding portion 231.

[0143] On the other hand, the second picking cassette transfer portion 35b can also move in the same manner as the first picking cassette transfer portion 35a. For example, the second picking cassette transfer portion 35b grips the cassette Ca containing the drug sheet to be taken out or filled next to the cassette Ca gripped by the first cassette gripping portion 351, and transfers the cassette Ca to the drug transfer position P1.

[0144] However, as shown in Fig. 11(e), when the first cassette gripping part 351 is located at the drug transfer position P1, the second cassette gripping part 355 moves to the standby position P2 provided in the vicinity of the drug transfer part 32 (specifically, in the vicinity of the drug transfer position P1). Then, after the first cassette gripping part 351 moves toward the receiving cassette holding part 232, the second cassette gripping part 355 moves to the drug transfer position P1. After the first cassette gripping part 351 returns the cassette Ca to the receiving cassette holding part 232, it grips the new cassette Ca placed on the delivery cassette holding part 231 and moves to the standby position P2. This operation is repeated.

[0145] As shown in Fig. 11(e), in this embodiment, the standby position P2 is below the drug transfer position P1 and is provided at a position farther from the main body unit 2 than the drug transfer position P1 in the depth direction of the picking unit 3. Thereby, when the cassette gripping part located at the drug transfer position P1 moves toward the receiving cassette holding part 232, it is possible to prevent it from colliding with the cassette gripping part located at the standby position P2.

[0146] (Operation example of the picking cassette transfer unit) Next, an operation example of the picking cassette transfer unit 35 will be described with reference to Fig. 12. Figs. 12(a) to (h) are diagrams showing operation examples of the first picking cassette transfer unit 35a and the second picking cassette transfer unit 35b. The shaded arrows shown in Fig. 12 indicate the moving direction of the first cassette gripping part 351, the black arrows indicate the moving direction of the second cassette gripping part 355, and the white arrows indicate the moving direction of the cassette Ca by the main body cassette transfer unit 22. Here, an operation example will be described starting from a state where the first cassette gripping part 351 grips the cassette Ca and is located at the drug transfer position P1, and the second cassette gripping part 355 grips the cassette Ca and is located at the standby position P2.

[0147] In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 12(c) to 12(f), the first picking cassette transfer unit 35a (the first cassette gripping unit 351 and the first cassette transfer mechanism 352) can access the upper delivery cassette holding unit 231 and the receiving cassette holding unit 232. Further, as shown in FIGS. 12(c) and 12(f) to 12(h), the second picking cassette transfer unit 35b (the second cassette gripping unit 355 and the second cassette transfer mechanism 356) can access the lower delivery cassette holding unit 231 and the receiving cassette holding unit 232. In FIG. 12, the upper delivery cassette holding unit 231 and the receiving cassette holding unit 232 are respectively referred to as a delivery cassette holding unit 231a and a receiving cassette holding unit 232a. Similarly, the lower delivery cassette holding unit 231 and the receiving cassette holding unit 232 are respectively referred to as a delivery cassette holding unit 231b and a receiving cassette holding unit 232b.

[0148] Note that the arrangement positions of the delivery cassette holding unit 231 and the receiving cassette holding unit 232 in the cassette holding unit 23 may be freely set. In other words, which position of the cassette holding unit 23 functions as the delivery cassette holding unit 231 or the receiving cassette holding unit 232 may be freely set. Further, this setting may be switched at any time by the control device 10 according to the operation status of the drug station 1 including the main body unit 2 (e.g., the dispensing status of the drug sheet).

[0149] That is, the mounting table of the cassette Ca constituting the cassette holding unit 23 may be switched to function as the delivery cassette holding unit 231 or the receiving cassette holding unit 232 under the control of the control device 10 according to the above operation status. In this case, the mounting table can be made to function as the delivery cassette holding unit 231 or the receiving cassette holding unit 232 according to the above operation status. Therefore, the cassette holding unit 23 can efficiently hold the cassette Ca according to the above operation status. Note that the mounting table may be switched to function as the delivery cassette holding unit 231 or the receiving cassette holding unit 232 without considering the above operation status (e.g., based on user input).

[0150] Also, the access positions of the cassette holding parts 23 of the first picking cassette transfer part 35a and the second picking cassette transfer part 35b may be freely set. Regarding this setting, it may also be switched by the control device 10 as needed according to the above operating conditions.

[0151] First, as shown in Fig. 12(a), as described above, the first cassette transfer mechanism 352 of the first picking cassette transfer part 35a transfers the first cassette gripping part 351 that grips the cassette Ca to the medicine transfer position P1. When the shutter 322 opens in this state, the picking operation for the cassette Ca gripped by the first cassette gripping part 351 is performed. Also, the second cassette transfer mechanism 356 of the second picking cassette transfer part 35b transfers the second cassette gripping part 355 that grips the cassette Ca to the standby position P2. That is, the second cassette gripping part 355 is waiting at the standby position P2 while gripping the cassette Ca.

[0152] Also, while the above picking operation is being performed, as shown in Fig. 12(b), the main body cassette transfer part 22 places a new cassette Ca on the delivery cassette holding part 231a.

[0153] When the picking operation for the cassette Ca gripped by the first cassette gripping part 351 is completed and it is determined by the medicine determination part 124 that the type and quantity of the medicine sheet input to the medicine input part 331 are appropriate, the shutter 322 closes. When the shutter 322 closes, as shown in Fig. 12(c), the first cassette transfer mechanism 352 moves the first cassette gripping part 351 to the receiving cassette holding part 232a, and then places the cassette Ca gripped by the first cassette gripping part 351 on the receiving cassette holding part 232b. Also, after the medicine transfer position P1 becomes empty when the first cassette gripping part 351 moves, the second cassette transfer mechanism 356 moves the second cassette gripping part 355 to the medicine transfer position P1. In this state, when the shutter 322 opens, the picking operation for the cassette Ca gripped by the second cassette gripping part 355 is performed.

[0154] Next, as shown in FIG. 12(d), the main body cassette transfer unit 22 returns the cassette Ca placed on the received cassette holding unit 232a by the first cassette transfer mechanism 352 to the storage position of the cassette Ca in the cassette shelf 21. Further, the first cassette transfer mechanism 352 moves the first cassette gripping unit 351 from the received cassette holding unit 232a to the delivered cassette holding unit 231a. Then, the first cassette transfer mechanism 352 causes the cassette Ca placed on the delivered cassette holding unit 231a to be gripped by the first cassette gripping unit 351.

[0155] Next, as shown in FIG. 12(e), the first cassette transfer mechanism 352 moves the first cassette gripping unit 351 that is gripping the cassette Ca to the standby position P2 and waits until the picking operation for the cassette Ca gripped by the second cassette gripping unit 355 is completed. Also, while the picking operation for the cassette Ca gripped by the second cassette gripping unit 355 is being performed, the main body cassette transfer unit 22 places a new cassette Ca on the delivered cassette holding unit 231b.

[0156] When the picking operation for the cassette Ca gripped by the second cassette gripping unit 355 is completed and the drug determination unit 124 determines that the type and quantity of the drug sheet inserted into the drug input unit 331 are appropriate, the shutter 322 closes. When the shutter 322 closes, as shown in FIG. 12(f), the second cassette transfer mechanism 356 moves the second cassette gripping unit 355 to the received cassette holding unit 232b, and then places the cassette Ca that the second cassette gripping unit 355 was gripping on the received cassette holding unit 232b. Also, after the drug transfer position P1 becomes vacant due to the movement of the second cassette gripping unit 355, the first cassette transfer mechanism 352 moves the first cassette gripping unit 351 to the drug transfer position P1. In this state, when the shutter 322 opens, a state in which the picking operation for the cassette Ca gripped by the first cassette gripping unit 351 can be performed is achieved.

[0157] Next, as shown in Fig. 12(g), the main body cassette transfer unit 22 returns the cassette Ca placed on the received cassette holding unit 232b by the second cassette transfer mechanism 356 to the storage position of the cassette Ca in the cassette shelf 21. Also, the second cassette transfer mechanism 356 moves the second cassette gripping unit 355 from the received cassette holding unit 232b to the delivered cassette holding unit 231b. Then, the second cassette transfer mechanism 356 causes the second cassette gripping unit 355 to grip the cassette Ca placed on the delivered cassette holding unit 231b.

[0158] Next, as shown in Fig. 12(h), the second cassette transfer mechanism 356 moves the second cassette gripping unit 355 that is gripping the cassette Ca to the standby position P2 and waits until the picking operation for the cassette Ca gripped by the first cassette gripping unit 351 is completed.

[0159] When the transfer process of the cassette Ca based on the prescription data is being performed, the above-described operations are repeatedly performed until the picking operation for all the drug sheets included in the prescription data is completed. Also, in the case of sequentially filling the drug sheets, the above-described operations may be repeatedly performed until the filling operation for all the drug sheets is completed.

[0160] In Figs. 12(e) and (f), if the second cassette gripping unit 355 is not present at the drug delivery position P1, the first cassette transfer mechanism 352 may directly transfer the first cassette gripping unit 351 to the drug delivery position P1. Similarly, in Figs. 12(g) and (h), if the first cassette gripping unit 351 is not present at the drug delivery position P1, the second cassette transfer mechanism 356 may directly transfer the second cassette gripping unit 355 to the drug delivery position P1.

[0161] In this way, the first picking cassette transfer unit 35a and the second picking cassette transfer unit 35b transfer the cassette Ca to be the object of taking out or filling the drug sheet to the drug transfer position P1. Further, when the cassette Ca is located at the drug transfer position P1, the first picking cassette transfer unit 35a and the second picking cassette transfer unit 35b transfer the cassette Ca to be the object of taking out or filling the drug sheet next to the standby position P2 and wait.

[0162] Specifically, the first cassette gripping part 351 and the second cassette gripping part 355 grip the cassette Ca pulled out from the cassette holding part 23 and transfer it between the cassette holding part 23, the drug transfer position P1, and the standby position P2. Also, the first cassette gripping part 351 and the second cassette gripping part 355 move so as not to collide with each other.

[0163] Thereby, it becomes possible to perform the work on the cassette Ca at the drug transfer position P1, and at the standby position P2, the cassette Ca which is the next work target of the cassette Ca can be made to wait in the vicinity of the drug transfer position P1. Therefore, after the work on the cassette Ca at the drug transfer position P1 is completed, subsequently, the cassette Ca waiting at the standby position P2 can be moved to the drug transfer position P1. Therefore, it becomes possible to efficiently make the user perform the work on a plurality of cassettes Ca.

[0164] Therefore, the picking unit 3 can efficiently provide the user with the cassette Ca for taking out or filling the drug sheet by the user.

[0165] (Operation example of the shutter 322) Next, an operation example of the shutter 322 will be described with reference to FIG. 13. FIGS. 13(a) to 13(c) are diagrams showing an operation example of the shutter 322.

[0166] As described above, the shutter 322 performs an opening / closing operation under the control of the shutter control unit 122. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 13(a), when the cassette Ca is not positioned at the drug transfer unit 32 (specifically, the drug transfer position P1), the shutter control unit 122 closes the shutter 322. As shown in Figs. 13(b) and 13(c), after the picking cassette transfer unit 35 stops the cassette Ca at the drug transfer position P1, the shutter control unit 122 opens the shutter 322. As a result, the user can perform the picking or filling operation of the drug sheet with respect to the cassette Ca.

[0167] The picking cassette transfer control unit 121 and the shutter control unit 122 identify the type of the cassette Ca and which type of drug sheet is to be accommodated in which accommodation position of the cassette Ca. Therefore, in the case of the cassette Ca without a partition (e.g., the small cassette Ca3), the picking cassette transfer control unit 121 and the shutter control unit 122 can identify that only one type of drug sheet is to be accommodated. Therefore, after the picking cassette transfer control unit 121 transfers the cassette Ca so that the center of the cassette Ca is near the center of the opening 321, as shown in Fig. 13(b), the shutter control unit 122 fully opens the shutter 322.

[0168] On the other hand, in the case of the cassette Ca with a partition (e.g., the large cassette Ca1 or the medium cassette Ca2), the picking cassette transfer control unit 121 transfers the cassette Ca so that the accommodation position of the drug sheet to be dispensed or filled is near the center of the opening 321. Then, as shown in Fig. 13(c), the shutter control unit 122 opens the shutter 322 by the width of the accommodation area in which the drug sheet is accommodated.

[0169] Thus, the opening width of the shutter 322 is changed according to the type of the cassette Ca transferred to the drug transfer position P1.

[0170] Also, when the next drug sheet to be dispensed or filled is stored in the same cassette Ca as the currently targeted drug sheet for dispensing or filling, it is only necessary to change the position of the cassette Ca without changing the cassette Ca. In this case, after the dispensing or filling of the currently targeted drug sheet is completed, the shutter control unit 122 closes the shutter 322. Thereafter, the picking cassette transfer control unit 121 moves the cassette Ca so that the storage position of the next drug sheet to be dispensed or filled is near the center of the opening 321. Thereafter, the shutter control unit 122 opens the shutter 322 by the width of the storage area in which the drug sheet is stored.

[0171] Therefore, by adopting the cassette Ca having a partition portion, it is possible to store drug sheets that are likely to be dispensed simultaneously, for example, in the same cassette Ca, and thus it is possible to more efficiently dispense the drug sheets.

[0172] In the above description, the cassette Ca is transferred so that the storage position accessed by the user is near the center of the opening 321, and the shutter 322 is opened so that the vicinity of the center of the opening 321 opens. However, this is not the only way. The center of the cassette Ca having a partition portion may be transferred near the center of the opening 321, and the shutter 322 may be gradually opened so as to open according to the storage position accessed by the user.

[0173] (Structure of the drug dispensing unit) Next, an example of the structure of the drug dispensing unit 33 will be described with reference to FIG. 14. FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view showing an example of the structure of the drug dispensing unit 33.

[0174] As shown in FIG. 14, a drug input portion 331 is formed on the workbench 36, and an imaging portion 335 is provided above it. A drug conveyance portion 332 is provided below the drug input portion 331.

[0175] The drug conveying unit 332 operates to drop the drug sheet input from the drug input unit 331 toward the upper shutter 333 side. In the present embodiment, the drug conveying unit 332 is realized by a belt conveyor that rotates about a rotation shaft 332a and moves in the direction of arrow Arr shown in FIG. 14. Further, a weighing unit 336 (load cell) is provided directly below the drug conveying unit 332. Thereby, the drug sheet placed on the drug conveying unit 332 can be weighed.

[0176] The upper shutter 333 is provided below the drug conveying unit 332 at a position where the drug sheet drops from the drug conveying unit 332, and performs an opening / closing operation in the horizontal direction (in the present embodiment, the width direction (X-axis direction) of the picking unit 3). Further, the lower shutter 334 is provided below the upper shutter 333 at a position where the drug sheet drops from the upper shutter 333, and performs an opening / closing operation in the horizontal direction (in the present embodiment, the X-axis direction). Thereby, when the upper shutter 333 and the lower shutter 334 are in the closed state, they can temporarily hold the drug sheet. Further, when the upper shutter 333 and the lower shutter 334 are in the open state, respectively, the drug sheet can be dropped onto the lower shutter 334 and the conveying tray Tr.

[0177] In the initial state, the upper shutter 333 is in the open state and the lower shutter 334 is in the closed state.

[0178] Further, the drug dispensing unit 33 includes a lower shutter moving mechanism 334a that moves the lower shutter 334 in the horizontal direction (X-axis direction). Specifically, the lower shutter moving mechanism 334a includes a hollow portion 3341 having the lower shutter 334 at its bottom, and a beam portion 3342 that slides the hollow portion 3341 in the X-axis direction. By making the hollow portion 3341 movable in the X-axis direction, the drug sheet received directly below the upper shutter 333 can be dropped onto the conveying tray Tr at a position different from the position where the drug sheet is received.

[0179] That is, by providing the lower shutter movement mechanism 334a, the positional relationship between the lower shutter 334 and the transport tray Tr can be adjusted in the X-axis direction. Therefore, the drug sheet can be dropped at a desired position on the transport tray Tr. It should be noted that the adjustment of the above positional relationship is also performed by the tray transport unit 6 moving the transport tray Tr.

[0180] Here, for example, when a drug sheet is loaded into the drug input unit 331 and the weighing by the weighing unit 336 is started, the imaging unit 335 is controlled by the drug dispensing control unit 123 to image the drug sheet. The drug determination unit 124 determines whether the drug sheet loaded into the drug input unit 331 is appropriate as the drug sheet to be dispensed according to the prescription data, based on the image of the drug sheet captured by the imaging unit 335, the weight of the drug sheet weighed by the weighing unit 336, and the prescription data.

[0181] When the drug determination unit 124 determines that the drug sheet loaded into the drug input unit 331 is appropriate, it determines whether the drug contained in the drug sheet is likely to be damaged (e.g., a drug prone to indentation) from the type of the drug sheet. When the drug determination unit 124 determines that the drug sheet is likely to be damaged, the drug dispensing control unit 123 closes the upper shutter 333, then operates the drug transport unit 332, and drops it onto the closed upper shutter 333. After a predetermined time has elapsed (after sufficient time has passed for the drug sheet placed on the drug transport unit 332 to completely drop), the drug dispensing control unit 123 opens the upper shutter 333 and drops it onto the closed lower shutter 334.

[0182] On the other hand, when the drug determination unit 124 determines that the drug sheet is not likely to be damaged, the drug dispensing control unit 123 operates the drug transport unit 332 with the upper shutter 333 in the open state and drops it onto the closed lower shutter 334.

[0183] Thus, by providing the upper shutter 333, it is possible to suppress damage to the drug caused by dropping from the drug conveyance unit 332 for drugs that are easily damaged. Also, for drugs that are not easily damaged, by dropping them directly from the drug conveyance unit 332 onto the lower shutter 334, the time for temporarily holding the drug sheet on the upper shutter 333 can be saved.

[0184] The drug dispensing control unit 123 controls the lower shutter movement mechanism 334a in a state where the transport tray Tr, which is the dispensing destination of the drug sheet included in the prescription data, is positioned below the lower shutter 334 by the tray transport unit 6. Thereby, the lower shutter 334 is moved onto the transport tray Tr which is the dropping position of the drug sheet. After that, the drug dispensing control unit 123 opens the lower shutter 334 and drops the drug sheet onto the transport tray Tr.

[0185] Here, the drug dispensing control unit 123 and the transport control unit 13 perform position control of the lower shutter 334 and the transport tray Tr so that a plurality of types of drug sheets to be accommodated in the transport tray Tr are respectively accommodated at different locations on the transport tray Tr. For example, the drug dispensing control unit 123 adjusts the position of the lower shutter 334 in the X-axis direction, and the transport control unit 13 adjusts the position of the transport tray Tr in the Y-axis direction. Also, the control device 10 determines the dropping position of the drug sheet so that, for example, the drug sheets are arranged side by side in the dispensing order of the drug sheets included in the prescription data.

[0186] <Flow of processing in the main body unit and the picking unit> Next, the flow of processing in the main body unit 2 and the picking unit 3 will be described with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing in the main body unit 2 and the picking unit 3 when dispensing a drug sheet onto the transport tray Tr. FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing in the main body unit 2 and the picking unit 3 when filling a drug sheet into the cassette Ca.

[0187] (Drug sheet dispensing process) When dispensing a medicine sheet onto the transport tray Tr, as shown in FIG. 15, when prescription data (or user input) is input to the control device 10, in the main body unit 2, the cassette identification unit 111 refers to the storage unit 15 to identify the cassette Ca that is the storage target of the medicine sheet included in the prescription data (SA1). Also, the cassette identification unit 111 identifies the storage position of the cassette Ca in the cassette shelf 21.

[0188] The main body cassette transfer control unit 112 controls the first main body cassette transfer unit 22a to move the first cassette gripping unit 221a to the storage position identified by the cassette identification unit 111. Based on the detection result of the position sensor 2214, when the main body cassette transfer control unit 112 determines that the first cassette gripping unit 221a is positioned in front of the cassette Ca identified by the cassette identification unit 111, the main body cassette transfer control unit 112 takes out the cassette Ca from the cassette shelf 21. Then, the main body cassette transfer control unit 112 transfers the taken-out cassette Ca to the delivery cassette holding unit 231 (SA2). At this time, the RFID reader reads the claw receiving part identification information from the RFID tag of the cassette Ca and transmits it to the picking unit control unit 12.

[0189] Also, the cassette identification unit 111 determines whether or not it has identified the cassette Ca (referred to as the final cassette) that contains the last medicine sheet included in the prescription data (SA3). When the cassette identification unit 111 determines that it is not the final cassette (NO in SA3), it returns to the process of SA1. At this time, the main body cassette transfer control unit 112 controls the second main body cassette transfer unit 22b to move the second cassette gripping unit 221b to the storage position identified by the cassette identification unit 111. In this way, every time the cassette identification unit 111 identifies the cassette Ca, by alternately driving the first main body cassette transfer unit 22a and the second main body cassette transfer unit 22b, the cassette Ca can be efficiently taken out. On the other hand, when the cassette identification unit 111 determines that it is the final cassette (YES in SA3), it proceeds to the process of SA5.

[0190] Also, in the main body unit 2, when the cassette Ca is returned to the receiving cassette holding unit 232 by the picking cassette transfer control unit 121, the main body cassette transfer control unit 112 controls the first cassette gripping unit 221a or the second cassette gripping unit 221b to take out the cassette Ca from the receiving cassette holding unit 232.

[0191] For example, after transferring the cassette Ca to the delivery cassette holding unit 231, the main body cassette transfer control unit 112 moves the first cassette gripping unit 221a or the second cassette gripping unit 221b to the receiving cassette holding unit 232. After the cassette Ca is placed on the receiving cassette holding unit 232 and the picking cassette transfer unit 35 leaves the receiving cassette holding unit 232, the main body cassette transfer control unit 112 takes out the cassette Ca from the receiving cassette holding unit 232.

[0192] The main body cassette transfer control unit 112 specifies the storage position of the cassette Ca taken out from the receiving cassette holding unit 232 by referring to the storage unit 15, and controls the first main body cassette transfer unit 22a or the second main body cassette transfer unit 22b to return the cassette Ca to the storage position (SA4).

[0193] Also, the cassette identification unit 111 determines whether the cassette Ca to be returned to the cassette shelf 21 is the last cassette (SA5). If the cassette identification unit 111 determines that it is not the last cassette (NO in SA5), the process returns to the process of SA4. On the other hand, if the cassette identification unit 111 determines that it is the last cassette (YES in SA5), this process ends.

[0194] On the other hand, in the picking unit 3, after the cassette Ca is placed on the delivery cassette holding unit 231 in the process of SA2 and the main body cassette transfer unit 22 leaves the delivery cassette holding unit 231, the picking cassette transfer control unit 121 controls the first picking cassette transfer unit 35a or the second picking cassette transfer unit 35b to transfer the cassette Ca placed on the delivery cassette holding unit 231 to the standby position P2 (SB1), and then to the drug transfer position P1 (SB2).

[0195] However, when the cassette Ca is present at the drug transfer position P1, the picking cassette transfer control unit 121 transfers the cassette Ca to the standby position P2. In other words, when the cassette Ca is not present at the drug transfer position P1, the picking cassette transfer control unit 121 may directly transfer the cassette Ca from the delivery cassette holding unit 231 to the drug transfer position P1.

[0196] When the cassette Ca is placed at the drug transfer position P1, the shutter control unit 122 opens the shutter 322 (SB3).

[0197] Here, when the storage destination of the drug sheet to be dispensed is the cassette Ca having a partition, the picking cassette transfer control unit 121 identifies the orientation of the cassette Ca at the drug transfer position P1 based on (1) the claw receiving part identification information read by the RFID reader and (2) the data associating the storage position information and the drug identification information stored in the storage unit 15. In other words, the picking cassette transfer control unit 121 identifies which type of drug sheet is to be stored in which storage position of the cassette Ca in the placement state of the cassette Ca at the drug transfer position P1. Based on this identification result, the picking cassette transfer control unit 121 moves the cassette Ca so that the storage position where the drug sheet to be dispensed is stored is near the center of the opening 321. Thereafter, the shutter control unit 122 opens the shutter 322 so that only the said storage position opens.

[0198] The user takes out the number of drug sheets displayed on the second touch panel 31 and inserts them into the drug input unit 331 while the shutter 322 is open. When the weighing by the weighing unit 336 starts, the drug dispensing control unit 123 controls the imaging unit 335 to image the drug sheet inserted into the drug input unit 331 (SB4). Note that imaging by the imaging unit 335 and weighing by the weighing unit 336 may be performed when a user input indicating the completion of inserting the drug sheet into the drug input unit 331 is received by the second touch panel 31.

[0199] The drug determination unit 124 determines whether the type and quantity of the inserted drug sheet match those indicated by the prescription data based on the imaging result by the imaging unit 335 and the measurement result by the metering unit 336 (SB5). If it is determined that they do not match (NO in SB5), the touch panel control unit 14 displays an error message on the second touch panel 31 indicating that the type or quantity of the inserted drug sheet is inappropriate (SB11). At this time, it is also possible to display an instruction to insert again.

[0200] On the other hand, if it is determined that they match (YES in SB5), the drug dispensing control unit 123 controls the opening and closing operations of the upper shutter 333 and the lower shutter 334 (SB6).

[0201] Specifically, when the drug determination unit 124 determines that the drug sheet is likely to be damaged, the drug dispensing control unit 123 closes the upper shutter 333 and then operates the drug conveyance unit 332 to drop the drug sheet onto the closed upper shutter 333. Then, the drug dispensing control unit 123 opens the upper shutter 333 and then opens the lower shutter 334 to drop the drug sheet onto the conveyance tray Tr. However, the drug dispensing control unit 123 opens the lower shutter 334 after the positional relationship between the lower shutter 334 and the conveyance tray Tr is adjusted.

[0202] On the other hand, when the drug determination unit 124 determines that the drug sheet is not likely to be damaged, the drug dispensing control unit 123 operates the drug conveyance unit 332 with the upper shutter 333 open to drop the drug sheet onto the closed lower shutter 334. Then, the drug dispensing control unit 123 opens the lower shutter 334 after the above positional relationship is adjusted to drop the drug sheet onto the conveyance tray Tr.

[0203] Also, when YES in SB5, the shutter control unit 122 closes the shutter 322 (SB7). The picking cassette transfer control unit 121 controls the first picking cassette transfer unit 35a or the second picking cassette transfer unit 35b to transfer the cassette Ca at the drug transfer position P1 to the receiving cassette holding unit 232 (SB8).

[0204] After that, the picking cassette transfer control unit 121 returns to the processing of SB1 and SB2. That is, the picking cassette transfer control unit 121 controls the picking cassette transfer unit 35 that has returned the cassette Ca to the receiving cassette holding unit 232, and transfers the cassette Ca placed on the delivery cassette holding unit 231 to the standby position P2. Also, the picking cassette transfer control unit 121 controls the picking cassette transfer unit 35 that has been waiting for the cassette Ca at the standby position P2, and transfers the cassette Ca to the drug transfer position P1.

[0205] Also, when the next drug sheet to be dispensed is stored in the same cassette Ca as the dispensed drug sheet, after the processing of SB7, the picking cassette transfer control unit 121 moves the cassette Ca so that the storage position where the drug sheet is stored is near the center of the opening 321. Then, it returns to the processing of SB3.

[0206] The picking unit control unit 12 repeats the above-described processing until the transfer of the final cassette to the receiving cassette holding unit 232 is completed.

[0207] (Drug sheet filling process) When filling the drug sheet into the corresponding cassette Ca, as shown in FIG. 16, the barcode reader 34 of the picking unit 3 reads the drug identification information of the drug sheet to be filled (SB21). In the main body unit 2, the cassette specifying unit 111 refers to the storage unit 15 based on this drug identification information to specify the cassette Ca that is the filling destination of the drug sheet (SA21). Also, the cassette specifying unit 111 specifies the storage position of the cassette Ca in the cassette shelf 21.

[0208] Similar to SA2, the main body cassette transfer control unit 112 controls the main body cassette transfer unit 22 to take out the cassette Ca specified by the cassette specifying unit 111 from the cassette shelf 21 and transfer the cassette Ca to the delivery cassette holding unit 231 (SA22).

[0209] In the picking unit 3, the cassette Ca is placed on the delivery cassette holding unit 231. After the main body cassette transfer unit 22 moves away from the delivery cassette holding unit 231, the picking cassette transfer control unit 121 controls the picking cassette transfer unit 35 to transfer the cassette Ca placed on the delivery cassette holding unit 231 to the drug transfer position P1 (SB22).

[0210] When the cassette Ca is placed at the drug transfer position P1, the shutter control unit 122 opens the shutter 322 (SB23). When accommodating the drug sheet to be filled in the cassette Ca having a partition portion, as described above, the positioning of the cassette Ca and the opening operation of the shutter 322 are controlled so that only the accommodation position of the drug sheet is in an open state.

[0211] After that, when a user input indicating filling completion is received via the second touch panel 31 (SB24), the shutter control unit 122 closes the shutter 322 (SB25). Then, the picking cassette transfer control unit 121 controls the main body cassette transfer unit 22 to transfer the cassette Ca at the drug transfer position P1 to the receiving cassette holding unit 232 (SB26).

[0212] After that, in the main body unit 2, the main body cassette transfer control unit 112 returns the cassette Ca to the storage position of the cassette Ca, similar to SA4 (SA23).

[0213] (Parentheses) In this way, the picking unit 3 transfers the cassette Ca corresponding to the drug transfer unit 32 based on the prescription data (or user input) and the determination result of the drug determination unit 124, and opens and closes the shutter 322. Therefore, the user who performs the work in the picking unit 3 only needs to take out the drug sheet from the cassette Ca and put it into the drug input unit 331 in the state where the shutter 322 is open without inspecting (confirming the type) the drug sheet.

[0214] Therefore, the work in the picking unit 3 can be performed by unqualified personnel instead of qualified personnel. As a result, the qualified personnel who have been performing the picking work conventionally can be made to perform other tasks.

[0215] Note that as described above, in the inspection unit 4 provided downstream of the picking unit 3, final inspection is performed by qualified personnel, thereby ensuring the certainty and safety of the work in the picking unit 3.

[0216] 〔Embodiment 2〕 Other embodiments of the present disclosure will be mainly described below with reference to FIGS. 17 to 30. For the sake of convenience of explanation, members having the same functions as those described in the above embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their explanations will not be repeated. The same applies to the following embodiments.

[0217] In the present embodiment, mainly, the display images displayed in accordance with the processing in the drug station of this specification will be described. In the present embodiment, examples of display images displayed in accordance with the processing of the drug station 1 (or the drug station 1A (Embodiment 3)) will be described.

[0218] Note that the first touch panel 5 is provided for each picking unit 3 (or the picking unit 3A (Embodiment 3)), similarly to the second touch panel 31. Therefore, the first touch panel 5 displays various information related to the entire drug station 1 and also displays various information related to the picking unit 3 in which the first touch panel 5 is provided. Further, the first touch panel 5 accepts various input operations for the processing of the entire drug station 1 or the processing of the picking unit 3 in which the first touch panel 5 is provided. The second touch panel 31 performs various image displays or input operation receptions for the drug withdrawal or filling work in each picking unit 3.

[0219] That is, the first touch panel 5 and the second touch panel 31 each function as a touch panel having a display device (display unit) for displaying the above-described information or image, and an input device (operation unit) for receiving the above-described input operation. Also, in the above case, the display screen of the display device of the first touch panel 5 functions as the main screen, and the display screen of the display device of the second touch panel 31 functions as the sub-screen.

[0220] Hereinafter, an example of a display image displayed on the first touch panel 5 and the second touch panel 31 provided in any one picking unit 3 will be described. Also, hereinafter, it will be described that each function of the control device 10 is executed by a PC 301 (see FIG. 28) provided in each picking unit 3.

[0221] Also, in the case of sequential dispensing in which the control device 10 dispenses drugs in the order of received prescription data, similar to Embodiment 1, the first drug receiving and dispensing unit 32a and the picking cassette transfer unit 35 provided below the first drug receiving and dispensing unit 32a are used (see FIG. 9). The second drug receiving and dispensing unit 32b and the picking cassette transfer unit 35 provided below the second drug receiving and dispensing unit 32b are used when interrupting the drugs to be dispensed in the order of reception of prescription data and individually dispensing the drugs. The same applies to Embodiment 3.

[0222] <Example of Display Image on the First Touch Panel> First, an example of a display image displayed on the first touch panel 5 will be described. FIGS. 17 to 21 are diagrams showing an example of a display image displayed on the first touch panel 5.

[0223] (When the drug station is started) When the drug station 1 is started, the touch panel control unit 14 causes the first touch panel 5 to display a login image. In the login image, after the user's ID (operator ID) and password are input, if an input operation is performed on the login button of the login image, the touch panel control unit 14 verifies the operator ID and password. When the touch panel control unit 14 succeeds in the verification, it displays a main image as shown in FIG. 17 on the first touch panel 5.

[0224] (Sequential dispensing image (dispensing list)) FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of the main image. In the present embodiment, the touch panel control unit 14 displays an image during sequential dispensing (sequential dispensing image 17001) as the main image.

[0225] The sequential dispensing image 17001 includes, for example, a menu display area A11, a filling drug presence / absence notification area A12, a dispensing cancel button A13, a logout button A14, a setting button A15, and an end button A16. These areas and buttons are also included in the sequential dispensing image 18001, the individual dispensing image 19001, the filling image 20001, and the history inquiry image 21001. During the filling of drugs such as drug sheets, ointments, or eye drops, dispensing of drugs is not performed, so the dispensing cancel button A13 is not included in the filling image 20001.

[0226] The menu display area A11 is an area for displaying various menu buttons. In this example, the sequential dispensing button A111, the individual dispensing button A112, the filling button A113, the statistics / history inquiry button A114, and the master registration button A115 are displayed in the menu display area A11. The touch panel control unit 14 displays an image corresponding to the selection of various buttons.

[0227] When the sequential dispensing button A111 is selected, for example, the sequential dispensing image 17001 shown in FIG. 17 or the sequential dispensing image 18001 shown in FIG. 18 is displayed. When the individual dispensing button A112 is selected, for example, the individual dispensing image 19001 shown in FIG. 19 is displayed. When the filling button A113 is selected, for example, the filling image 20001 shown in FIG. 20 is displayed. When the statistics / history inquiry button A114 is selected, for example, the history inquiry image 21001 shown in FIG. 21 is displayed. When the master registration button A115 is selected, an image for registering the type of medicine, the user name, etc. is displayed.

[0228] The filling medicine presence / absence notification area A12 is an area for displaying whether there is a cassette Ca that requires medicine filling. In the storage unit 15, the medicine identification information of the medicine stored in each cassette Ca and the quantity information indicating the number of medicines stored in each cassette Ca are managed in association with the cassette identification information (or storage position information) of each cassette Ca of the main body unit 2. The touch panel control unit 14, by referring to the quantity information, when it determines that there is at least one cassette Ca whose quantity is 0 or less than the reference value (the set reference inventory quantity), displays in the filling medicine presence / absence notification area A12 that the cassette Ca exists. When the cassette Ca does not exist, the touch panel control unit 14 does not display information in the filling medicine presence / absence notification area A12.

[0229] The dispensing cancel button A13 is displayed during the dispensing of medicine and accepts an input operation for canceling the dispensing of medicine. The logout button A14 accepts an input operation for logging out. During the dispensing of medicine, the logged-in user name is displayed on the logout button A14. The setting button A15 accepts an input operation for performing various settings. The end button A16 accepts an input operation for ending the application for executing various processes of the drug station 1 or shutting down the control device 10.

[0230] The sequential dispensing image 17001 further includes a dispensing list selection button A17, a picking list selection button A18, a display filtering input area A19, a dispensing list display area A20, a dispensed display button A21, and a delete button A22.

[0231] When receiving an input operation on the dispensing list selection button A17, the touch panel control unit 14 displays the sequential dispensing image 17001 including the dispensing list display area A20 and the like. When receiving an input operation on the picking list selection button A18, the touch panel control unit 14 displays the sequential dispensing image 18001 (see FIG. 18) including the picking list display area A31 and the like.

[0232] The display filtering input area A19 is an area that receives an input operation for extracting information to be displayed in the dispensing list display area A20.

[0233] The first filtering area A191 receives an input operation for displaying the dispensing status (status) of the drugs included in the prescription data assigned to the picking unit 3 provided with the first touch panel 5 in the dispensing list display area A20. The control device 10 manages the patient name, prescription data, reception order, and dispensing status of each assigned patient for each picking unit 3.

[0234] When receiving the above input operation, the touch panel control unit 14 displays a check mark in the check box of the first filtering area A191. Further, the touch panel control unit 14 displays the dispensing status of the drugs included in the prescription data assigned to the picking unit 3 provided with the first touch panel 5 in the dispensing list display area A20.

[0235] The second filtering area A192 is an area where the patient name can be input. When characters are input in the second filtering area A192, the touch panel control unit 14 filters and displays the dispensing status of the drugs of the patients including the input characters in the dispensing list display area A20.

[0236] The third filtering area A193 extracts prescription data including drugs to be sub-packaged or drugs to be sprinkled from the prescription data received by the control device 10, and accepts an input operation for displaying information related to the prescription data in the dispensing list display area A20. These drugs are drugs that have subsequent processes such as sub-packaging by a sub-packaging machine or sprinkling after being dispensed from the drug station 1 (DS). The prescription data includes information about these drugs.

[0237] When accepting the above input operation, the touch panel control unit 14 displays a check mark in the check box of the third filtering area A193. In addition, the touch panel control unit 14 filters and displays the dispensing status of drugs to be sub-packaged or drugs to be sprinkled in the subsequent process in the dispensing list display area A20.

[0238] The fourth filtering area A194 extracts prescription data including drugs with a remainder from the prescription data received by the control device 10, and accepts an input operation for displaying information related to the prescription data in the dispensing list display area A20.

[0239] When accepting the above input operation, the touch panel control unit 14 displays a check mark in the check box of the fourth filtering area A194. In addition, the touch panel control unit 14 displays the dispensing status of drugs with a remainder dispensed in the dispensing list display area A20. That is, the touch panel control unit 14 filters and displays the dispensing list of drugs related to the prescription data (patients) including the remainder in the dispensing list display area A20.

[0240] The fifth filtering area A195 extracts prescription data in which three or more types of drugs are dispensed from the prescription data received by the control device 10, and accepts an input operation for displaying information related to the prescription data in the dispensing list display area A20.

[0241] When receiving the above input operation, the touch panel control unit 14 displays a check mark in the check box of the fifth narrowing-down area A195. Also, the touch panel control unit 14 displays the dispensing status of the drugs for patients from whom three or more types of drugs are dispensed in the dispensing list display area A20. That is, the touch panel control unit 14 filters and displays the dispensing list of drugs related to prescription data (patients) including three or more types of drugs in the dispensing list display area A20.

[0242] The clear button A196 receives an input operation to clear the input of the narrowing-down conditions to the first narrowing-down area A191 to the fifth narrowing-down area A195.

[0243] In the example of FIG. 17, no input operation is being received in any of the first narrowing-down area A191 to the fifth narrowing-down area A195. Therefore, in the example of FIG. 17, the touch panel control unit 14 does not display a check mark in any of the check boxes and displays the dispensing status of drugs based on all the prescription data received at the drug station 1.

[0244] Also, the touch panel control unit 14 provides a column of "Dispensing Availability Other than DS" in the dispensing list display area A20. In the "Dispensing Availability Other than DS", the types of drugs that require dispensing in dispensing equipment other than the drug station 1 (e.g., a packaging machine), and whether the dispensing has been completed are displayed. Information on the necessity of dispensing and whether the dispensing has been completed is managed in the storage unit 15 for each type of drug. Note that in FIG. 17, "Ma" indicates a narcotic drug, "Shui" indicates an aqueous solution, "Fen" indicates a drug to be packaged, "〇" indicates that the processing at other dispensing equipment has been completed, and "×" indicates that the processing at the other dispensing equipment is in an unprocessed state.

[0245] In the dispensing list display area A20, for each patient, information indicating the dispensing status of the drug (dispensing data) is displayed. In the example of FIG. 17, the dispensing status of the drug for each patient is displayed in the order of dispensing. The dispensing list display area A20 includes, for example, a "Sequence" column for displaying the sequence of the patient who is the recipient of the drug, a "Patient" column for displaying the patient name, and a "Status" column for displaying the dispensing status of the drug. Further, the dispensing list display area A20 includes a "Waiting Time" column for displaying the waiting time since receiving the prescription data, which is managed by the control device 10. Furthermore, in the dispensing list display area A20, a dispensing list of drugs based on each filtering condition is displayed according to whether there is an input operation to the first to fifth filtering areas A191 to A195.

[0246] In addition, the dispensed display button A21 accepts an input operation for displaying only the information of the patient for whom the drug dispensing has been completed. By the input operation to the dispensed display button A21, the touch panel control unit 14 displays only the information of the patient for whom the drug dispensing has been completed in the dispensing list display area A20. Also, the delete button A22 accepts an input operation for deleting the dispensing data of the patient displayed in the dispensing list display area A20. When an input operation to the delete button A22 is accepted in a state where the information of the patient displayed in the dispensing list display area A20 is selected (in FIG. 17, sequence 5 is in the selected state), the touch panel control unit 14 deletes the dispensing data of the selected patient from the dispensing list display area A20.

[0247] (Sequential Dispensing Image (Picking List)) FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of the sequential dispensing image 18001. The sequential dispensing image 18001 includes a picking list display area A31 and a next dispensing information display area A32. In the picking list display area A31, information regarding the dispensing of the drug is displayed for each type of drug to be dispensed. In the example of FIG. 18, information regarding the dispensing of the drug for each type is displayed in the order of dispensing.

[0248] In the picking list display area A31, for example, there are columns such as "Order" for displaying the order of the drugs to be dispensed, "Drug" for displaying the drug names, "Form" for displaying the forms of the drugs, and "Total Quantity" for displaying the dispensed quantity. Also, in the picking list display area A31, there are columns such as "Target Person" for displaying the names of the patients who are the recipients of the drugs, "Completion Time" for displaying the estimated time until the drug dispensing is completed, and "Status" for displaying various situations.

[0249] The information indicating the form of the drug is stored in the storage unit 15, for example, linked to the drug identification information. The information in the "Completion Time" column is, for example, the estimated time required for the dispensing of each type of drug stored in the storage unit 15, and the result calculated by the control device 10 based on the estimated time is displayed. In the "Status" column, for example, information indicating that there is a shortage when dispensing the drug in the cassette Ca, information indicating a drug that interrupts and is dispensed individually among the drugs dispensed according to the reception order of the prescription data, etc. are displayed. The information in the "Status" column is displayed by the control device 10 managing the information necessary for the display, such as the number information of the drugs stored in the cassette Ca and the reception of individual dispensing.

[0250] The information indicating the shortage is displayed through the following process. The control device 10 subtracts the dispensed quantity (displayed in "Total Quantity") of the drug from the total number of all the drugs stored in the main body unit 2 for the same type of drug in the received prescription data in the order of dispensing. As a result of the subtraction, when the result becomes 0 or less for the dispensing data in the order of dispensing, the control device 10 displays the information indicating the shortage ( "Out of Stock" in the figure) for the corresponding dispensing data. That is, based on the result predicted from the order of drug dispensing, the touch panel control unit 14 displays the information indicating the shortage for the dispensing data of the drug determined to be out of stock when dispensing the drug.

[0251] In addition, by the control device 10 managing the dispensing status of the drug, the touch panel control unit 14 can display, for example, the remaining number of dispensings ("remaining picking" in the figure) and the number of completed dispensings ("picking record" in the figure). By this display, the user (operator) can check the dispensing status (progress status) of the drug in the entire drug station 1.

[0252] In the next dispensing information display area A32, information regarding the drug to be dispensed next among the drugs currently being dispensed (during the picking operation) is displayed. In the next dispensing information display area A32, for example, the name and image of the drug to be dispensed next, as well as the cassette number of the cassette Ca in which the drug is stored and the number of drugs (stock quantity) stored in the cassette Ca are displayed. Also, when there are parent-child cassettes, in the next dispensing information display area A32, the cassette numbers of the cassettes Ca constituting the parent-child cassettes and the number of drugs stored in the cassette Ca are displayed. The parent-child cassettes refer to a group of cassettes Ca that store the same type of drug. Also, in this example, in the next dispensing information display area A32, the shelf stock quantity of the drug of the same type as the drug stored in the parent-child cassettes is also displayed. The shelf stock here indicates the number of drugs of the same type that are managed in a drug shelf or the like other than the main unit 2 in a pharmacy or the like where the drug station 1 is installed.

[0253] The cassette numbers of the parent-child cassettes are displayed so that when the cassette Ca runs out of stock during the dispensing of the drug, the user can determine whether another cassette Ca can be called and filled with it. The same applies to the number of each cassette Ca stored in the parent-child cassettes. The shelf stock quantity is displayed so that when the cassette Ca runs out of stock during the dispensing of the drug, the user can determine whether it can be filled from the shelf stock.

[0254] In the memory unit 15, an image of the drug is stored in association with the drug identification information. Also, for the cassette Ca containing the same type of drug, information (flag) indicating that it is a parent-child cassette is set for each type. Further, the touch panel control unit 14 acquires information regarding the drugs managed as the above-mentioned shelf inventory (e.g., information on the type, storage location, or quantity of each drug) from an incoming system (not shown) that manages information regarding the drugs stocked in a pharmacy or the like.

[0255] (Individual dispensing image) FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of the individual dispensing image 19001. The individual dispensing image 19001 is an image for receiving an input operation for individually dispensing a drug separately from the sequential dispensing of the drug.

[0256] When the individual dispensing button A112 is selected, the touch panel control unit 14 first displays a login image. This is because the user who interrupts the sequential dispensing to individually dispense the drug may be different from the user who is performing the picking operation in the sequential dispensing. When the user authentication is completed, the touch panel control unit 14 displays, for example, the individual dispensing image 19001 shown in FIG. 19.

[0257] The individual dispensing image 19001 includes a drug list display area A41 and a dispensed drug display area A42.

[0258] The drug list display area A41 is an area for receiving an input operation for extracting information regarding the drugs stored in the main body unit 2 and for displaying the extracted information regarding the drugs. The drug list display area A41 includes a first extraction area A411, a second extraction area A412, an extraction result display area A413, and a dispense list addition button A414.

[0259] The first extraction area A411 and the second extraction area A412 are areas for receiving an input operation for extracting information regarding the cassette Ca (drug) to be displayed in the extraction result display area A413. When no extraction conditions are input, a list (drug list) of information regarding all the drugs stored in the main body unit 2 is displayed.

[0260] When the touch panel control unit 14 receives an input operation for "all" in the first extraction area A411, it displays the information associated with all the drug identification information in the extraction result display area A413. When it receives an input operation for "a", the touch panel control unit 14 extracts and displays in the extraction result display area A413 the information associated with the drug identification information of the drug having a drug name starting with "a". The same applies to "ka" and subsequent characters. The second extraction area A412 is an area where a drug name can be input, and the touch panel control unit 14 extracts and displays in the extraction result display area A413 the information associated with the drug identification information of the drug containing the characters input in the second extraction area A412.

[0261] In the extraction result display area A413, for example, in addition to the name of the extracted drug, for example, the cassette number ("Cassette No." in the figure), branch number ("Branch No." in the figure), reference stock quantity, stock quantity, shelf stock quantity, lot number, and expiration date are displayed. The branch number indicates each storage position in the cassette Ca when the cassette Ca is partitioned by a partition. That is, the storage position information is displayed in the branch number. The reference stock quantity is a reference value indicating the minimum number of drugs stored in the cassette Ca. The stock quantity indicates the number of drugs stored in the cassette Ca, and the shelf stock quantity indicates the number of drugs managed in drug shelves other than the main body unit 2 in a pharmacy or the like where the drug station 1 is installed.

[0262] The dispensing list addition button A414 receives an input operation for adding information regarding the drug selected from the drugs displayed in the extraction result display area A413 to the dispensing list display area A421.

[0263] The dispensed drug display area A42 is an area for displaying information regarding drugs that are dispensed individually separately from the sequential dispensing of drugs based on prescription data. The dispensed drug display area A42 includes, for example, the dispensing list display area A421, the interruption button A422, the cassette movement button A423, the transported drug display area A424, the dispensed quantity input area A425, and the confirmation button A426.

[0264] The dispensing list display area A421 is an area that displays information about the drug selected by the user as the drug to be individually dispensed from among the drugs displayed in the extraction result display area A413. In this example, in the dispensing list display area A421, together with the name of the selected drug, the cassette number and branch number of the cassette Ca containing the drug are displayed. The "×" in the dispensing list display area A421 is a deletion button that accepts an input operation for deleting the information about the selected drug.

[0265] The touch panel control unit 14, for example, when receiving an input operation to the dispensing list addition button A414 in a state where information about a drug is selected in the extraction result display area A413, displays the information about the drug in the dispensing list display area A421. The touch panel control unit 14 may display the information about the drug selected in the extraction result display area A413 in the dispensing list display area A421 by accepting a drag operation to the dispensing list display area A421 for the information.

[0266] The interruption button A422 accepts an input operation for interrupting the conveyance (movement) of the cassette Ca displayed in the dispensing list display area A421. The cassette movement button A423 accepts an input operation for starting the conveyance of the cassette Ca displayed in the dispensing list display area A421.

[0267] The conveyed drug display area A424 is an area that displays information about the cassette Ca conveyed to the drug transfer unit 32 of the picking unit 3 and the drug contained in the cassette Ca. In this example, the cassette number of the cassette Ca, an image of the drug contained in the cassette Ca, the lot number, and the expiration date are displayed. The user can add the drug (cassette) to the dispensing list display area A421 (dispensing list) by referring to the lot number or the expiration date.

[0268] The dispensing quantity input area A425 is an area where the number of drugs taken out from the cassette Ca conveyed to the drug transfer unit 32 or the number of drugs filled into the cassette Ca can be input. When an input operation to the numerical input area is received, the touch panel control unit 14 displays, for example, a numeric keypad. When a numerical value is input in a state where the "dispense" button ("dispensing quantity" in the figure) is selected, the numerical value displayed in the dispensing quantity input area A425 indicates the number of drugs taken out (dispensed) from the cassette Ca. When a numerical value is input in a state where the "fill" button ("filling quantity" in the figure) is selected, the numerical value displayed in the dispensing quantity input area A425 indicates the number of drugs filled into the cassette Ca.

[0269] When drugs are dispensed individually, since drugs are taken out from the cassette Ca, the "dispense" button is selected. However, it is also possible to fill the cassette Ca with drugs at the timing of this taking-out. Therefore, the "fill" button is also selectable.

[0270] After the number of drugs is input in the dispensing quantity input area A425, when an input operation to the confirmation button A426 is received, the main unit control unit 11 and the picking unit control unit 12 return the cassette Ca conveyed to the drug transfer unit 32 to the main unit 2. Also, the main unit control unit 11 and the picking unit control unit 12 convey the cassette Ca containing the next drug to be dispensed from the main unit 2 to the drug transfer unit 32. This operation is repeated until the dispensing of all the drugs displayed in the dispensing list display area A421 is completed, unless an input operation to the interrupt button A422 is received.

[0271] In addition, the control device 10 adds or subtracts the numerical value input in the dispensing quantity input area A425 with respect to the number of drugs contained in the cassette Ca conveyed to the drug transfer unit 32. Thereby, the control device 10 can update the number of drugs contained in the cassette Ca.

[0272] (Filling image) FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of a filling image 20001. The filling image 20001 is an image for receiving an input operation for filling a drug into the cassette Ca. When the filling button A113 is selected, the touch panel control unit 14 displays, for example, the filling image 20001 shown in FIG. 20. Also, when the filling button A113 is selected, the control device 10 does not perform an assignment for dispensing a drug based on prescription data to the picking unit 3 including the first touch panel 5 that has received the input operation. That is, in this case, the control device 10 treats the picking unit 3 as a unit dedicated to the drug filling operation.

[0273] The filling image 20001 includes a filling mode selection button A61 and an inventory mode selection button A62. When an input operation to the filling mode selection button A61 is received, the touch panel control unit 14 displays, as the filling image 20001, an image including an extraction area A63, a first display area A64, and a second display area A65. When the user fills a drug into the cassette Ca, the user selects the filling mode selection button A61.

[0274] When an input operation to the inventory mode selection button A62 is received, the touch panel control unit 14 displays information regarding all the cassettes Ca stored in the main body unit 2 (e.g., the types, quantities, and storage positions of the drugs stored in all the cassettes Ca). In this case, the touch panel control unit 14 may also display information such as the types, quantities, and storage positions of all the drugs managed in the main body unit 2 and other drug shelves (excluding the main body unit 2) installed in a pharmacy or the like where the drag station 1 is installed.

[0275] The extraction area A63 is an area for extracting the drug to be filled. The range specification area A631 is an area where the range of cassette numbers can be specified. When an input operation on the range specification area A631 is received, the touch panel control unit 14 displays information about the cassette Ca having a cassette number within the specified range in the extraction result display area A643. The drug name specification area A632 is an area where the drug name can be specified. When a character input on the drug name specification area A632 is received, the touch panel control unit 14 displays information about the cassette Ca containing the drug including the character in the extraction result display area A643.

[0276] The out-of-stock extraction area A633 accepts an input operation for displaying only out-of-stock cassettes in the extraction result display area A643. The shortage cassette extraction area A634 accepts an input operation for displaying only cassettes with a shortage of standard stock in the extraction result display area A643. The dead stock cassette extraction area A635 accepts an input operation for displaying only dead stock cassettes in the extraction result display area A643.

[0277] An out-of-stock cassette refers to a cassette Ca in an out-of-stock state (stock quantity 0). A cassette with a shortage of standard stock refers to a cassette Ca in which the number of drugs contained is less than the standard stock quantity. A dead stock cassette is a cassette Ca that has not been the object of conveyance for a predetermined period (e.g., several months from the startup of Drug Station 1). For example, the control device 10 can identify a dead stock cassette by storing the most recent conveyance date and time of each cassette Ca.

[0278] The extraction button (search button) A636 accepts an input operation for extracting the cassette Ca within the range specified in A631 to A635. When the touch panel control unit 14 receives an input operation on any of A631 to A635, the extraction button A636 is set to an input operation receivable state (active). When the touch panel control unit 14 receives an input operation on the extraction button A636, the extraction result within the range specified in A631 to A635 is displayed in the extraction result display area A643.

[0279] The first display area A64 includes a shelf inventory import button A641, a filling list issuance button A642, an extraction result display area A643, an interruption button A644, and a cassette movement button A645.

[0280] The shelf inventory import button A641 receives an input operation for extracting information on the drugs stored in the main unit 2 from among the drugs managed by the warehousing system and displaying the information in the extraction result display area A643. The filling list issuance button A642 receives an input operation for executing printing of the extraction result displayed in the extraction result display area A643. A printer 1013 may be connected to the drug station 1 (see FIG. 28).

[0281] The extraction result display area A643 is an area for displaying the extraction result (filling list) in the extraction area A63. The touch panel control unit 14 displays information similar to the extraction result display area A413 in FIG. 19 as the extraction result. The extraction result display area A643 is provided with a "Target" column in which it is possible to select whether or not to be a filling target. In this example, each time an input operation to the "Target" column is received, "〇" or "-" is selectively displayed. "〇" indicates that a drug has been selected as a filling target, and "-" indicates that a drug has been selected as not a filling target. "Check mark" indicates completion of filling into the cassette Ca.

[0282] The interruption button A644 receives an input operation for interrupting the conveyance of the cassette Ca containing the drug selected as the filling target. The cassette movement button A645 receives an input operation for starting the conveyance of the cassette Ca.

[0283] The second display area A65 is an area for displaying information on the drug selected as the filling target. The second display area A65 includes, for example, a drug information display area A651, a filling quantity input area A652, and a confirmation button A653.

[0284] The drug information display area A651 is an area where information about the drug selected as the filling target and the cassette Ca that houses the drug is displayed. In this example, the drug information display area A651 displays an image of the drug, the cassette number of the cassette Ca that houses the drug and has been conveyed to the drug transfer unit 32, the lot number of the drug, and the expiration date. When there are parent-child cassettes, the cassette number is displayed.

[0285] The filling quantity input area A652 is an area where the number of drugs filled into the cassette Ca conveyed to the drug transfer unit 32 can be input. When an input operation to the numerical input area is received, the touch panel control unit 14 displays, for example, a numeric keypad.

[0286] After the number of drugs is input to the filling quantity input area A652 and an input operation to the confirmation button A653 is received, the main unit control unit 11 and the picking unit control unit 12 return the cassette Ca conveyed to the drug transfer unit 32 to the main unit 2. Also, the main unit control unit 11 and the picking unit control unit 12 convey the cassette Ca that houses the next drug to be filled from the main unit 2 to the drug transfer unit 32. This operation is repeated until the filling of the drug into the cassette Ca, which is the storage destination of the drug selected as the filling target in the extraction result display area A643, is completed, unless an input operation to the interruption button A644 is received. Also, the control device 10 can update the number of drugs housed in the cassette Ca based on the numerical value input to the filling quantity input area A652.

[0287] (History inquiry image) FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of the history inquiry image 21001. The history inquiry image 21001 is an image for displaying the history of processing (work) by the drug station 1.

[0288] (Example of display image on the second touch panel) Next, an example of the display image displayed on the second touch panel 31 will be described. FIGS. 22 to 27 are diagrams showing an example of the display image displayed on the second touch panel 31.

[0289] (Example of display image before determination of dispensing quantity) When the drug station 1 is activated, the touch panel control unit 14 displays an initial image on the second touch panel 31. The initial image may be, for example, a black display image. When the cassette Ca is conveyed to the drug delivery unit 32 for sequential or individual dispensing of drugs, the touch panel control unit 14 displays, for example, the first confirmation image 22001 shown in FIG. 22.

[0290] The first confirmation image 22001 is an image for displaying information required when the user takes out drugs from the cassette Ca. The first confirmation image 22001 includes, for example, a first display area B11, a second display area B12, a replenishment button B13, a parent-child cassette call button B14, and a supplementary information display area B15.

[0291] The first display area B11 is an area for displaying instructions to the user, measurement results, etc. In the first confirmation image 22001, the touch panel control unit 14 displays, in the first display area B11, an instruction content prompting the user to cause the barcode reader 34 to read the information (e.g., GS1 code) of the barcode attached to the drug taken out from the cassette Ca.

[0292] The second display area B12 displays information about the drug to be taken out from the cassette Ca. In the second display area B12, for example, the name of the drug to be dispensed (taken out), the prescribed dispensing quantity (taken out quantity), and an image are displayed. When the drug to be dispensed is a drug sheet, the touch panel control unit 14 displays, as the prescribed dispensing quantity, for example, the number of sheets, the number of tablets (fraction), and the total number respectively.

[0293] In the second display area B12, in particular, the specified dispensing quantity (target value of the dispensing quantity) is displayed prominently as compared with other information. The control device 10 conveys the cassette Ca containing the drug to be dispensed to the drug transfer unit 32 based on the prescription data, and opens the shutter 322 so that the user can access only the storage position containing the drug. Therefore, the possibility that the user takes out drugs other than the drug to be dispensed is low. On the other hand, since the drug is taken out from the cassette Ca manually by the user, there is a possibility that the user may take out a quantity of drugs different from the specified dispensing quantity (an incorrect quantity). In particular, when the user performing the picking operation is an unqualified person without qualifications such as a pharmacist, there is a possibility that the user may take out an incorrect quantity of drugs. As described above, by prominently displaying the specified dispensing quantity, it is possible to assist the user in the drug picking operation so that the user can easily take out the drugs of the dispensing quantity.

[0294] Note that in the present embodiment, only the opening and closing control of the shutter 322 is mentioned, but it should be noted that in the drug station 1 of the third embodiment, the shutter 322a is also controlled to open and close in the same manner as the shutter 322.

[0295] The second display area B12 further includes a parent-child cassette display area B121, an emergency stop button B122, and a confirmation button B123.

[0296] The parent-child cassette display area B121 is an area for displaying the number of the cassette Ca linked as a parent-child cassette to the cassette Ca arranged in the drug transfer unit 32 when there is a cassette Ca linked as a parent-child cassette. Each time an input operation to the parent-child cassette display area B121 is received, the touch panel control unit 14 switches the display and non-display of the number of the cassette Ca. In the initial setting, the number of the cassette Ca may not be displayed.

[0297] Note that the parent-child cassette display area B121 is displayed when there is a cassette Ca linked as a parent-child cassette. That is, the parent-child cassette display area B121 is not displayed when there is no parent-child cassette for the called cassette Ca.

[0298] The forced termination button B122 accepts an input operation for interrupting the picking operation of the drug. When an input operation to the forced termination button B122 is accepted, the touch panel control unit 14 displays, for example, the forced approval image 23001 shown in FIG. 23. When an input operation for approving the forced termination is accepted in the forced approval image 23001, the main unit control unit 11 and the picking unit control unit 12 close the shutter 322 and return the cassette Ca arranged in the drug delivery unit 32 to the main unit 2. Further, the main unit control unit 11 and the picking unit control unit 12 convey the cassette Ca containing the drug to be the next dispensing target from the main unit 2 to the drug delivery unit 32.

[0299] The confirmation button B123 accepts an input operation for the user to approve that the prescribed dispensing quantity of the drug has been taken out from the cassette Ca.

[0300] The touch panel control unit 14 activates the forced termination button B122 when displaying the first confirmation image 22001, the second confirmation image 22002, the third confirmation image 23002, or the second determination image 25001 (see FIG. 25). The touch panel control unit 14 activates the confirmation button B123 when displaying the first determination image 24001 (see FIG. 24). Note that the touch panel control unit 14 activates the confirmation button B53 when displaying the dispensing quantity input image 26001 (see FIG. 26).

[0301] The supplementary button B13 accepts an input operation for enabling the filling operation of the cassette Ca with the drug when taking out the drug from the cassette Ca. The parent-child cassette call button B14 accepts an input operation for transporting the cassette Ca storing the drug to be dispensed and the cassette Ca linked as a parent-child cassette to the second drug transfer unit 32b (also referred to as an interrupt tray).

[0302] The supplementary information display area B15 is an area for displaying supplementary information when there is supplementary information related to the drug to be dispensed. The supplementary information indicates confirmation items that the user should pay attention to in the picking operation. That is, the supplementary information display area B15 is an area for displaying a checklist in the picking operation. Examples of the supplementary information include the presence or absence information of articles to be stored in the transport tray Tr together with the drug, such as an instruction sheet explaining the usage of the drug. An example of displaying the supplementary information is shown in the explanatory display image 24002 of FIG. 24. The supplementary information is stored in the storage unit 15 in association with the drug identification information.

[0303] In the supplementary information display area B15, a check box is provided for the supplementary information. The user can perform an input operation on the check box, for example, when confirming the confirmation items shown in the supplementary information. When the touch panel control unit 14 accepts an input operation on the check box, it can display a check mark.

[0304] In addition, each time the touch panel control unit 14 accepts an input operation on the supplementary information display area B15, it changes the size of the supplementary information display area B15. The supplementary information display area B15 is set to the minimum size (for example, a size that allows one piece of supplementary information to be visible as shown in FIG. 22) in the initial setting.

[0305] In addition, during the display of the first confirmation image 22001, when the control device 10 determines that the information (for example, GS1 code) read by the barcode reader 34 indicates the drug to be dispensed, the touch panel control unit 14 changes the display to the second confirmation image 22002.

[0306] The second confirmation image 22002 shown in FIG. 22 is an image for displaying information necessary for dispensing the drug, similar to the first confirmation image 22001. In the second confirmation image 22002, the touch panel control unit 14 displays, in the first display area B11, instruction content prompting the user to take out the specified dispensing quantity of the drug from the cassette Ca. In this display state, the user takes out the dispensing quantity of the drug displayed in the second display area B12 from the cassette Ca.

[0307] When it is determined by the control device 10 that the information read by the barcode reader 34 does not indicate the drug to be dispensed during the display of the first confirmation image 22001, the touch panel control unit 14 changes the display to the third confirmation image 23002. The third confirmation image 23002 shown in FIG. 23 is an image for displaying, for example, in the first display area B11 that the information read by the barcode reader 34 does not match the drug identification information of the drug to be dispensed.

[0308] In this embodiment, when the cassette Ca is conveyed to the drug delivery unit 32, the touch panel control unit 14 displays the first confirmation image 22001 to prompt the user to have the barcode reader 34 read the information of the barcode. However, it is not always necessary to read the barcode information. When the user is not made to perform the above reading, when the cassette Ca is conveyed to the drug delivery unit 32, the touch panel control unit 14 displays the second confirmation image 22002 instead of the first confirmation image 22001. Also, since the user is not made to perform the above reading, the third confirmation image 23002 is not displayed either. The setting of whether to perform the above reading can be changed as appropriate.

[0309] (Example of display image after determination of dispensing quantity) (In the case of determination OK) As described in Embodiment 1, the drug determination unit 124 determines whether or not the prescribed dispensing quantity of drugs has been taken out from the cassette Ca based on the image of the drugs captured by the imaging unit 335 and the weight of the drugs measured by the weighing unit 336. When it is determined by the drug determination unit 124 that the prescribed dispensing quantity of drugs has been taken out, the touch panel control unit 14 displays, for example, the first determination image 24001 shown in FIG. 24.

[0310] In the first determination image 24001, the touch panel control unit 14 displays the captured image of the drugs and the measurement results based on the measured weight of the drugs in the first display area B11. That is, the measurement results and the dispensing target indicators such as the name of the drug, the prescribed dispensing quantity, and the image displayed in the second display area B12 can be displayed in one image. Therefore, the user can easily confirm the measurement results and the dispensing target indicators.

[0311] In the first determination image 24001, the same quantity as the prescribed dispensing quantity (target value) displayed in the second display area B12 is displayed as the measurement result. As shown in FIG. 24, when the drug to be dispensed is a drug sheet, similar to the second display area B12, for example, the number of sheets, the number of tablets (fractional part), and the total number are respectively displayed.

[0312] The touch panel control unit 14 displays an image indicating that the prescribed dispensing quantity of drugs has been taken out from the cassette Ca in the first determination image 24001. In this example, as shown in FIG. 24, the touch panel control unit 14 displays "〇" as an image (determination result image) indicating the determination result near the center of the first determination image 24001. Therefore, the user can intuitively recognize the determination result as to whether or not the prescribed dispensing quantity of drugs has been taken out.

[0313] In addition, the touch panel control unit 14 improves the visibility for the user by displaying the determination result image relatively large. Also, the touch panel control unit 14 displays the determination result image so that the image before the determination result is displayed can be viewed. In this example, a semi-transparent "〇" is displayed as the determination result image so as to overlap with the prescribed dispensing quantity of the drug, the image, etc. displayed in the second display area B12. As a result, the user can view the determination result together with the measurement result, the name of the drug, the prescribed dispensing quantity, the image of the drug, etc.

[0314] In addition, when the touch panel control unit 14 receives an input operation to the supplementary information display area B15 (for example, a swipe operation from bottom to top), it displays, for example, the explanatory display image 24002 shown in FIG. 24. The explanatory display image 24002 shows a state in which the touch panel control unit 14 has expanded the supplementary information display area B15 to the maximum size so that a plurality of supplementary information can be viewed. At this time, the touch panel control unit 14 enlarges and displays the supplementary information display area B15 so that the supplementary information display area B15 overlaps on the activated confirmation button B123 etc. (so that the confirmation button B123 cannot be viewed). As a result, it is possible to encourage the user to perform an input operation on the checkbox in the supplementary information display area B15. Also, it is possible to prevent the user from accidentally performing an input operation on the confirmation button B123 during the enlarged display of the supplementary information display area B15 (that is, while the user is checking the supplementary information).

[0315] The tray removal image 24003 is an image for notifying the user of the removal of the transport tray Tr from the picking unit 3. The tray removal image 24003 is an image that is displayed when the transport tray Tr is not automatically replaced for each patient as described in Embodiment 1 and when the transport tray Tr is manually replaced for each patient as described in Embodiment 3. By this display, the user can place the transport tray Tr for dispensing based on the prescription data of the next patient in the picking unit 3. Therefore, the user can dispense the drugs based on the prescription data of each patient into different transport trays Tr.

[0316] In addition, the first determination image 24001 includes a tray close button B21. The tray close button B21 receives an input operation for closing the shutter 322 in the open state.

[0317] Here, after the user completes the input operation on the checkbox in the supplementary information display area B15, by performing an input operation (e.g., a swipe operation from top to bottom) on the supplementary information display area B15, the touch panel control unit 14 reduces the display of the supplementary information display area B15. That is, the touch panel control unit 14 displays the first determination image 24001.

[0318] In this state, when an input operation on the confirmation button B123 is received, the main body unit control unit 11 and the picking unit control unit 12 close the shutter 322 and return the cassette Ca arranged in the medicine delivery unit 32 to the main body unit 2. When an input operation on the confirmation button B123 is received and an input operation on the tray close button B21 or the tray close button 39 (see FIG. 33) is received, the main body unit control unit 11 and the picking unit control unit 12 may close the shutter 322. Further, when the main body unit control unit 11 and the picking unit control unit 12 receive the above input operation, they convey the cassette Ca containing the next medicine to be dispensed from the main body unit 2 to the medicine delivery unit 32. When the cassette Ca is arranged in the medicine delivery unit 32, the touch panel control unit 14 displays a first confirmation image 22001 or a second confirmation image 22002 including information on the next medicine to be dispensed. When it is the dispensing of the last medicine in the prescription data, the touch panel control unit 14, for example, displays an initial image or a tray removal image 24003 shown in FIG. 24.

[0319] In this embodiment, the touch panel control unit 14 displays the confirmation button B123 in the images shown in FIGS. 22 to 24, but it is not necessary to display the confirmation button B123. In this case, when an input operation to the tray close button B21 or the tray close button 39 is received in a state where the first determination image 24001 is displayed, the main unit control unit 11 and the picking unit control unit 12 close the shutter 322. Then, the main unit control unit 11 and the picking unit control unit 12 return the cassette Ca arranged in the drug delivery unit 32 to the main unit 2. Further, when the above input operation is received, the main unit control unit 11 and the picking unit control unit 12 convey the cassette Ca containing the next drug to be dispensed from the main unit 2 to the drug delivery unit 32. Note that when neither the confirmation button B123 nor the tray close button B21 is displayed in the first determination image 24001, the above-described processing may be performed when an input operation to the tray close button 39 is received.

[0320] Also, as shown in the explanatory display image 24002 of FIG. 24, the touch panel control unit 14 enlarges and displays the supplementary information display area B15 so that the supplementary information display area B15 overlaps the tray close button B21 (so that the tray close button B21 cannot be visually recognized). Therefore, it is possible to prevent the user from accidentally performing an input operation to the tray close button B21 during the enlarged display of the supplementary information display area B15 (that is, during the confirmation of the supplementary information by the user).

[0321] (In the case of NG determination) When the drug determination unit 124 determines that a drug in a quantity different from the specified dispensing quantity has been taken out of the cassette Ca, the touch panel control unit 14 displays, for example, the second determination image 25001 shown in FIG. 25. Also in the second determination image 25001, similar to the first determination image 24001, the measurement result and the index as the dispensing target can be displayed in one image. In the second determination image 25001, the quantity different from the specified dispensing quantity displayed in the second display area B12 is displayed as the measurement result.

[0322] The touch panel control unit 14 displays, on the second determination image 25001, an image indicating that a quantity of medicine different from the prescribed dispensing quantity has been taken out from the cassette Ca. In this example, as shown in FIG. 25, the touch panel control unit 14 displays an "X" as the determination result image near the center of the second determination image 25001. Similar to the first determination image 24001, the touch panel control unit 14 displays the determination result image relatively large in order to improve the visibility of the determination result. Also, the touch panel control unit 14 displays the determination result image (e.g., a semi-transparent "X") so that the image before the display of the determination result is visible.

[0323] Here, examples of the case where the medicine determination unit 124 determines that a quantity of medicine different from the prescribed dispensing quantity has been taken out from the cassette Ca include the following cases.

[0324] (1) When the number of medicines taken out from the cassette Ca is different from the prescribed dispensing quantity. That is, when the user has taken out a quantity of medicine that is more or less than the prescribed dispensing quantity.

[0325] (2) When the number of medicines taken out from the cassette Ca is the prescribed dispensing quantity, but a measurement error has occurred due to the imaging unit 335 or the weighing unit 336.

[0326] Also, on the second determination image 25001, a correction button B124 is displayed. When the confirmation button B123 is displayed on the first determination image 24001, on the second determination image 25001, the confirmation button B123 is changed to the correction button B124. The correction button B124 accepts an input operation for enabling the correction operation of the measurement result. When an input operation to the correction button B124 is accepted, the touch panel control unit 14 displays, for example, the quantity correction image 25002 shown in FIG. 25.

[0327] When the second determination image 25001 is displayed, the user takes out the medicine from the transport tray Tr and checks the number of medicines stored in the transport tray Tr. In the case of (1) above, after the user restores the prescribed dispensing quantity of medicine in the transport tray Tr, the user performs an input operation on the correction button B124. In the case of (2) above, without changing the number of medicines, after the user returns the medicine taken out from the transport tray Tr to the transport tray Tr as it is, the user performs an input operation on the correction button B124. That is, the correction button B124 is a button that enables the user to correct the measurement result in any of the cases (1) and (2) above.

[0328] The quantity correction image 25002 is an image for correcting the measurement result, and includes a first display area B11, a quantity input area B31, a cancel button B32, and a correction button B33. The touch panel control unit 14 displays, in the first display area B11, an instruction content prompting the user to correct the measurement result. The quantity input area B31 is an area capable of receiving input of numerical values. When an input operation to the quantity input area B31 is received, the touch panel control unit 14 displays, for example, a numeric keypad.

[0329] The cancel button B32 receives an input operation for returning the display to the second determination image 25001. The correction button B33 receives an input operation for determining the correction content and displaying, for example, the transmission image 25003 shown in FIG. 25. When it is determined by the medicine determination unit 124 that the correction content does not match the prescribed dispensing quantity, the touch panel control unit 14 may not display the transmission image 25003 even when receiving an input operation to the correction button B33, and may keep the quantity correction image 25002 displayed.

[0330] The transmission image 25003 is an image that selectively displays various comments to be transmitted to the prescription management device 1011 (see FIG. 28) connected to the drug station 1. The transmission image 25003 includes a first display area B11, a comment display area B41, a close button B42, and a transmission button B43.

[0331] The touch panel control unit 14 displays instruction content prompting the user to select and send comments in the first display area B11. In the comment display area B41, various comments are displayed in a selectable manner. The comments are those that indicate in advance the content that should be notified to the prescription management device 1011, which the user noticed during the picking operation. The various comments are stored, for example, in the storage unit 15.

[0332] The close button B42 receives an input operation for closing the transmission image 25003. In this case, the comment is not sent to the prescription management device 1011. The send button B43 receives an input operation for sending a comment to the prescription management device 1011. That is, when an input operation to the send button B43 is received, the control device 10 sends the comment selected by the user to the prescription management device 1011.

[0333] Also, when an input operation to the close button B42 or the send button B43 is received, the touch panel control unit 14 displays the first confirmation image 22001 that displays the information of the drug when the cassette Ca containing the next drug to be dispensed is placed in the drug delivery unit 32. Or, the touch panel control unit 14 displays the second confirmation image 22002 that displays the information of the drug. If it is the dispensing of the last drug in the prescription data, the touch panel control unit 14 returns to the initial image or displays, for example, the tray removal image 24003 shown in FIG. 24.

[0334] Note that in the second determination image 25001, the correction button B124 may not be displayed. In this case, the forced termination button B122 functions in the same way as the correction button B124. That is, when an input operation to the forced termination button B122 in the second determination image 25001 is received, the touch panel control unit 14 displays the quantity correction image 25002 without displaying the forced approval image 23001 shown in FIG. 23.

[0335] (Correction by displaying the dispensed quantity input image 26001) Also, in the second determination image 25001, when an input operation to the parent-child cassette call button B14 is received, the touch panel control unit 14 displays, for example, a dispensing quantity input image 26001 shown in FIG. 26.

[0336] The dispensing quantity input image 26001 is an image in which the dispensing quantity of the drug can be input, and includes, for example, a dispensing quantity input area B51, a cancel button B52, and a confirmation button B53.

[0337] The dispensing quantity input area B51 is an area where the total number of drugs (dispensing quantity) taken out from the cassette Ca can be input. When an input operation to the dispensing quantity input area B51 is received, the touch panel control unit 14 displays, for example, a numeric keypad. The cancel button B52 receives an input operation for returning the display to the second determination image 25001. The confirmation button B53 receives an input operation for the user to approve that the specified dispensing quantity of the drug has been taken out from the cassette Ca.

[0338] When an input operation to the confirmation button B53 is received, the main body unit control unit 11 and the picking unit control unit 12 return the cassette Ca arranged in the drug transfer unit 32 to the main body unit 2. Further, the main body unit control unit 11 and the picking unit control unit 12 convey the cassette Ca containing the next drug to be dispensed from the main body unit 2 to the drug transfer unit 32. When the cassette Ca is arranged in the drug transfer unit 32, the touch panel control unit 14 displays a first confirmation image 22001 or a second confirmation image 22002 including information on the next drug to be dispensed.

[0339] Thus, when there is a parent-child cassette, the user can take out the specified dispensing quantity of the drug by taking out the drug from a cassette Ca different from the cassette Ca containing the drug to be dispensed. That is, the user can correct the measurement result.

[0340] Note that the touch panel control unit 14 may display a tray close button having the same function as the tray close button B21 on the payout number input image 26001. Further, the touch panel control unit 14 does not have to display the confirmation button B53 on the payout number input image 26001. In this case, when the tray close button displayed on the payout number input image 26001 or an input operation to the tray close button 39 is received, the above-described processing is performed. When neither the confirmation button B53 nor the above-described tray close button is displayed on the payout number input image 26001, the above-described processing is performed when an input operation to the tray close button 39 is received.

[0341] (Filling of medicine during picking operation) When the touch panel control unit 14 displays the second confirmation image 22002 shown in FIG. 22, the replenishment button B13 is activated. When an input operation to the replenishment button B13 is received, the touch panel control unit 14 displays, for example, the login image 27001 shown in FIG. 27. After the operator ID and password are input in the login image 27001 and user authentication is successful, the touch panel control unit 14 displays the filling work image 27002.

[0342] The filling work image 27002 is an image that enables the filling work of the medicine for the cassette Ca arranged in the medicine transfer unit 32 during the picking operation for the cassette Ca. The filling work image 27002 includes a first display area B11, a medicine name display area B61, a filling number display area B62, a cancel button B63, and a filling button B64. The touch panel control unit 14 displays, in the first display area B11, instruction content prompting the user to fill the medicine into the cassette Ca.

[0343] In the drug name display area B61, the drug name stored in the cassette Ca arranged in the drug transfer unit 32 is displayed. In the filling quantity display area B62, the filling quantity, lot number, and expiration date of the drug filled in the cassette Ca are displayed. When an input operation to the filling quantity display area B62 is received, the touch panel control unit 14 displays, for example, a keypad. For the lot number and expiration date, the touch panel control unit 14 may display the result of the barcode reader 34 reading the information of the barcode attached to the drug.

[0344] The cancel button B63 receives an input operation to return the display to the second confirmation image 22002. The filling button B64 receives an input operation to confirm the information displayed in the filling quantity display area B62. When an input operation to the filling quantity display area B62 is received, the control device 10 associates the above information with the cassette identification information of the cassette Ca arranged in the drug transfer unit 32 and stores it in the storage unit 15. Also, the touch panel control unit 14 returns the display to the second confirmation image 22002.

[0345] In addition, when the information read by the barcode reader 34 (e.g., GS1 code) does not match the drug identification information of the drug stored in the cassette Ca arranged in the drug transfer unit 32, the touch panel control unit 14 displays an image notifying the user to that effect. An example of this is the notification image 27003 shown in FIG. 27.

[0346] <Example of display image on the tablet terminal> Next, an example of the display image on the tablet terminal 1012 will be described. FIG. 28 is a diagram showing an example of the dispensing system 1000. FIGS. 29 and 30 are diagrams showing an example of the display image on the tablet terminal 1012. As a premise for explaining the example of the display image on the tablet terminal 1012, first, the dispensing system 1000 will be described. FIG. 28 is a diagram showing an example of the dispensing system 1000.

[0347] (Dispensing system) As shown in FIG. 28, the dispensing system 1000 mainly includes a drug station 1 (or drug station 1A) including a main body unit 2 and a picking unit 3, a prescription management device 1011, a tablet terminal 1012, and a printer 1013.

[0348] The prescription management device 1011 is a higher-level system of various devices (including the drug station 1) used for dispensing in a pharmacy or the like where the drug station 1 is installed. The prescription management device 1011 transmits, for example, the prescription data of each patient to various devices. The prescription management device 1011 also transmits information identifying the drug to be dispensed in each device for each prescription data.

[0349] Each picking unit 3 includes a PC (Personal Computer) 3. One of the PCs 301 functions as a server, and the remaining PCs 301 function as clients.

[0350] The PC 301 acting as a server comprehensively controls the entire drug station 1 and, for example, executes all functions of the control device 10. In addition, the PC 301 determines the picking unit 3 that performs the dispensing of the drug based on the received prescription data. Furthermore, the PC 301 is connected to the prescription management device 1011, the tablet terminal 1012, and the printer 1013.

[0351] The PC 301 acting as a client controls at least the picking unit 3 including the PC 301 and, for example, executes the functions of the picking unit control unit 12 and the touch panel control unit 14 of the control device 10.

[0352] The tablet terminal 1012 has a display function for displaying various information regarding the drug station 1 and an operation reception function for receiving various input operations. The tablet terminal 1012 includes, for example, a touch panel 1012A, a control unit 1012B, and a storage unit 1012C. The touch panel 1012A displays the various information and receives the various input operations. The control unit 1012B controls each part of the tablet terminal 1012. The storage unit 1012C stores information necessary for the processing of the control unit 1012B.

[0353] The printer 1013 outputs printed materials such as journals upon receiving an instruction from each PC 301 or the tablet terminal 1012.

[0354] The PC 301 as a server is connected to the tablet terminal 1012 and the printer 1013 when the drug station 1 is functioning normally. However, the connection between the PC 301, the tablet terminal 1012, and the printer 1013 is disconnected when an abnormality (failure) occurs in the drug station 1. That is, the tablet terminal 1012 and the printer 1013 can be used in a state separated from the drug station 1 when an abnormality occurs in the drug station 1.

[0355] When the PC 301 as a server is connected to the tablet terminal 1012, it transmits various information stored in the storage unit 15 to the tablet terminal 1012 at any time (for example, every 30 minutes or every hour). Examples of the various information include information regarding drugs associated with the cassette identification information of each cassette Ca and storage location information.

[0356] In addition, as long as it is a device that is connected to the PC 301 during the normal operation of the drug station 1 and whose connection to the PC 301 is disconnected when an abnormality occurs in the drug station 1, the above-mentioned various information may be transmitted to a device other than the tablet terminal 1012. That is, it is sufficient if the above-mentioned various information can be managed by another device that is not connected to the PC 301 when an abnormality occurs in the drug station 1.

[0357] When there is no response from the PC 301 acting as a server, for example, or when various information cannot be received, the control unit 1012B determines that an abnormality has occurred in the drug station 1. In this case, the control unit 1012B switches from the image (e.g., status image) displayed during the normal operation of the drug station 1 to the image (e.g., emergency dispensing image) displayed during the occurrence of the abnormality.

[0358] In addition, when the control unit 1012B receives a notification from the PC 301 that an abnormality has occurred in a part of the members included in the drug station 1, it may determine that an abnormality has occurred in the drug station 1. Also, when the user using the drug station 1 determines that an abnormality has occurred in the drug station 1, the user may switch from the display of the image displayed during the normal operation to the display of the image displayed during the occurrence of the abnormality via the touch panel 1012A.

[0359] (Display Image on Tablet Terminal - During Normal Operation) As an image displayed during the normal operation of the drug station 1, the control unit 1012B displays, for example, the status image 29001 shown in FIG. 29 on the touch panel 1012A. The status image 29001 displays information regarding the status of the drug station 1, such as the operation status of various members of the drug station 1 and the drug dispensing status in the drug station 1. The control unit 1012B updates the display content of the status image 29001 each time the information regarding the drug station 1 transmitted at any time is updated.

[0360] (Display Image on Tablet Terminal - When Abnormality Occurs) When an abnormality occurs in the drug station 1, the control unit 1012B automatically or manually displays, for example, the emergency dispensing image 30001 shown in FIG. 30. The emergency dispensing image 30001 is an image that enables the user to manually create a drug dispensing list based on prescription data when an abnormality occurs in the drug station 1.

[0361] When an abnormality occurs in the drug station 1, the control unit 1012B disconnects the connection with the PC 301 acting as a server. After the disconnection of the connection, the control unit 1012B reads out the information (cassette-related information) stored in the storage unit 1012C and associated with the above-described cassette identification information. When the cassette-related information is managed by the above-described other device, the control unit 1012B acquires the cassette-related information from the device. The control unit 1012B creates an emergency dispensing image 30001 based on the acquired cassette-related information.

[0362] The emergency dispensing image 30001 includes a drug list display area C11 and a dispensed drug display area C12.

[0363] The drug list display area C11 is an area that accepts an input operation for extracting information from the acquired cassette-related information and displays the extraction result. The drug list display area C11 includes a first extraction area C111, a second extraction area C112, an extraction result display area C113, and a dispense list addition button C114.

[0364] The first extraction area C111 and the second extraction area C112 are areas that accept an input operation for extracting the drugs to be displayed in the extraction result display area C113. The functions of the first extraction area C111 and the second extraction area C112 are the same as the functions of the first extraction area A411 and the second extraction area A412 in the individual dispensing image 19001 shown in FIG. 19, respectively.

[0365] The extraction result display area C113 is an area that displays the extraction result for the acquired cassette-related information. The display items in the extraction result display area C113 are the same as the extraction result display area A413 in the individual dispensing image 19001 shown in FIG. 19.

[0366] The dispense list addition button C114 accepts an input operation for adding information about the drug selected from the drugs displayed in the extraction result display area C113 to the dispense list display area C121.

[0367] The dispensed drug display area C12 is an area for displaying the drugs to be dispensed based on the prescription data. In this example, the dispensed drug display area C12 includes a dispensed list display area C121, a dispensed quantity input area C122, a setting button C123, a clear button C124, and a journal output button C125.

[0368] The dispensed list display area C121 is an area for displaying information about the drugs selected by the user from among the drugs displayed in the extraction result display area C113. In this example, in the dispensed list display area C121, together with the selected drug name, the cassette number and branch number of the cassette Ca containing the drug are displayed. Also, in the "Quantity" column of the dispensed list display area C121, the numerical value input in the dispensed quantity input area C122 is reflected. The "×" in the dispensed list display area C121 is a delete button that accepts an input operation for deleting the information about the selected drug.

[0369] For example, when the control unit 1012B accepts an input operation on the dispensed list addition button C114 in a state where information about a drug is selected in the extraction result display area C113, the control unit 1012B displays the information about the drug in the dispensed list display area C121. The control unit 1012B may display the information about the drug selected in the extraction result display area C113 in the dispensed list display area C121 by accepting a drag operation on the information to the dispensed list display area C121.

[0370] The dispensed quantity input area C122 is an area where the quantity to be dispensed from the cassette Ca can be input. When an input operation on the dispensed quantity input area C122 is accepted, the control unit 1012B, for example, displays a numeric keypad. Numerical input to the dispensed quantity input area C122 is possible in a state where one of the drugs displayed in the dispensed list display area C121 is selected.

[0371] The setting button C123 accepts an input operation for determining the dispensed quantity of the drug selected in the dispensed list display area C121 as the quantity input in the dispensed quantity input area C122 and reflecting the quantity in the "Quantity" column of the dispensed list display area C121.

[0372] The clear button C124 accepts an input operation for erasing all the information displayed in the dispensing list display area C121. The journal output button C125 accepts an input operation for causing the information displayed in the dispensing list display area C121 to be output as a journal to the printer 1013.

[0373] As described above, when an abnormality occurs in the drug station 1, the connection between the tablet terminal 1012 and the PC 301 as a server is disconnected. Therefore, in this case, the control unit 1012B cannot acquire various information from the PC 301. However, the control unit 1012B can read out various information managed by the tablet terminal 1012 or the other device separated from the drug station 1. The various information is acquired at any time by the tablet terminal 1012 or the other device during the normal operation of the drug station 1 (that is, during the connection between the drug station 1 and the tablet terminal 1012 or the other device). Therefore, the control unit 1012B can display information regarding the drugs managed in the drug station 1 at the time of or immediately before the occurrence of the abnormality in the extraction result display area C113.

[0374] The user can cause a drug dispensing list according to the prescription data to be displayed in the dispensing list display area C121 by selecting the information included in the prescription data from the information regarding the drugs displayed in the extraction result display area C113. Therefore, even when an abnormality occurs in the drug station 1, the user can manually take out the drugs included in the prescription data from the main body unit 2 while visually recognizing the touch panel 1012A.

[0375] In addition, the user can output the information (dispensing list) displayed in the dispensing list display area C121 from the printer 1013. Therefore, the user can take out the drugs included in the prescription data from the main body unit 2 while viewing the journal without visually recognizing the touch panel 1012A. In this case, the drug can be taken out from the main body unit 2 by the user having the tablet terminal 1012 and the user having the journal (that is, by multiple persons).

[0376] Note that the dispensing system 1000 may be provided with a plurality of tablet terminals 1012. In this case, when an abnormality occurs in the drug station 1, a plurality of users having the tablet terminals 1012 can divide the work and take out the drugs included in the prescription data from the main body unit 2.

[0377] 〔Embodiment 3〕 In this embodiment, the drug station 1A will be mainly described with reference to FIGS. 31 to 46. The parts of the drug station 1A that are particularly different from the drug station 1 of Embodiment 1 will be mainly described. In this embodiment, it is described that the drug to be dispensed is a drug sheet. Each part of the drug station 1A is controlled by the control device 10 shown in FIG. 1.

[0378] The drug station 1A includes a main body unit 2A, a picking unit 3A, and an inspection unit 4. FIGS. 31 and 32 are perspective views showing an example of the main body unit 2A. FIG. 31 is a view of the main body unit 2A seen from the front side, and FIG. 32 is a view of the main body unit 2A seen from the back side. FIG. 33 is a perspective view showing an example of the picking unit 3A. FIG. 34 is a view showing an example of the drug placement table 37 and the tray placement table 38 of the picking unit 3A. In FIG. 34, for ease of explanation, the upper surface part and side walls of the picking unit 3A, the side walls of the drug placement table 37, and the side walls and bottom of the tray placement table 38 are removed. The reference numeral 35001 in FIG. 35 is a cross-sectional view showing a state of taking out a drug sheet from the drug placement table 37, and the reference numeral 35002 is a cross-sectional view showing a state of taking out a drug sheet from the cassette Ca4 (see FIGS. 36 to 38).

[0379] <Appearance of the main body unit> As shown in FIGS. 31 and 32, a plurality of doors 25 are provided on each of the front and back of the main body unit 2A. The user can directly access the cassette shelf 21 by opening the door 25. FIG. 32 shows a state in which the door 25 provided on a part of the back is open. The door 25 may be transparent or translucent so that the cassette shelf 21 can be visually recognized from the outside of the main body unit 2A.

[0380] In FIG. 31, one picking unit 3A is provided on the front side of the main body unit 2A, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a plurality of picking units 3A may be provided.

[0381] Further, the main body unit 2A is different from the main body unit 2 in that it includes a cassette gripping portion 226 instead of the cassette gripping portion 221, and a cassette holding portion 230 instead of the cassette holding portion 23. The cassette gripping portion 226 and the cassette holding portion 230 will be described later.

[0382] <Appearance of the picking unit> In the drug station 1, as shown in FIG. 1, the tray conveyance unit 6 conveys the conveyance tray Tr stored in the tray storage unit 7 into the picking unit 3. Further, the tray conveyance unit 6 conveys the conveyance tray Tr containing the drug sheet dispensed by the picking unit 3 toward the inspection unit 4 side. That is, the conveyance of the conveyance tray Tr to the picking unit 3 and the conveyance of the conveyance tray Tr from the picking unit 3 are automatically performed by the tray conveyance unit 6.

[0383] The drug station 1A of the present embodiment does not include the tray conveyance unit 6. The work of arranging the conveyance tray Tr in the picking unit 3A and the work of transporting the conveyance tray Tr to the inspection unit 4 after taking out the conveyance tray Tr from the picking unit 3A are performed by the user. In order to realize this user work, as shown in FIGS. 31 and 33, in the picking unit 3A, a drug placement table 37 and a tray placement table 38 are provided on the upper surface portion 3up where the drug receiving and delivering unit 32 (the first drug receiving and delivering unit 32a and the second drug receiving and delivering unit 32b) is provided.

[0384] The drug placement table 37 is a table for placing fractional drugs. In the present embodiment, an imaging unit 335 for imaging the fractional drugs placed on the drug placement table 37 is provided in the vicinity of the drug placement table 37. As shown in FIG. 34, light sources 371 are provided on each of the both side walls of the drug placement table 37. The picking unit control unit 12 emits light from the light source 371 and images the fractional drugs placed on the drug placement table 37, for example, by receiving an input operation of the user. After recognizing the shape of the drug image in the captured image, the picking unit control unit 12 determines the number of the drugs by comparing the shape with various shapes of the drug images stored in the storage unit 15. The various shapes are stored in the storage unit 15 in association with information indicating the number of drugs.

[0385] Also, as shown by reference numeral 35001 in FIG. 35, the side wall 37wl of the drug placement table 37 on the user's standing position side has a tapered shape that slopes from the main body unit 2 side toward the user's standing position side (in the -Y axis direction). When viewed in plan, the side wall 37wl slopes so that the opening 37op of the drug placement table 37 is larger than the bottom 37bt of the drug placement table 37. Thus, as shown by reference numeral 35001, when removing the drug sheet imaged by the imaging unit 335 from the drug placement table 37, the drug sheet can be scraped out so as to slide along the tapered side wall 37wl (in the direction of the arrow in the figure).

[0386] The tray placement table 38 is a table for placing the transport tray Tr. As shown in FIG. 34, the tray placement table 38 includes a weighing unit 336 and a sensor 381.

[0387] The weighing unit 336 weighs the transport tray Tr placed on the tray placement table 38 and the drug sheet stored in the transport tray Tr. The weight of the transport tray Tr and the weight of one drug sheet for each drug type are stored in the storage unit 15. Therefore, the drug determination unit 124 can identify the number of drugs stored in the transport tray Tr based on the weighing result of the weighing unit 336 and / or the imaging result of the imaging unit 335. The weighing unit 336 is provided below the bottom of the tray placement table 38.

[0388] Note that the storage unit 15 may not store the weight of the transport tray Tr, and the weighing unit 336 may perform tare weight subtraction to obtain the weight of the drug sheet. Specifically, after the transport tray Tr is placed on the tray placement table 38, the weighing unit 336 performs tare weight subtraction. Thereafter, when the user places the drug sheet on the transport tray Tr, the weighing unit 336 can weigh only the drug sheet.

[0389] The sensor 381 detects the transport tray Tr placed on the tray mounting table 38. In the present embodiment, the sensor 381 is a transmissive sensor in which one is a light source and the other is a light detection unit that detects the light emitted from the light source. When a transmissive sensor is used, the presence or absence of the transport tray Tr can be accurately recognized. Also, in the present embodiment, the sensor 381 is provided on both side walls of the tray mounting table 38. Although the sensor 381 may be provided at the bottom of the tray mounting table 38, in this case, since the light is emitted from the sensor 381 upward from the bottom, the user may feel bothered. Also, when provided at the bottom, dust is likely to adhere to the sensor 381. Further, in this case, since a reflective sensor is used, the detection accuracy of the transport tray Tr may decrease. When provided on the side wall, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the user feels bothered by the light from the sensor 381, dust adheres to the sensor 381, or the detection accuracy of the transport tray Tr decreases.

[0390] Based on the display content of the second touch panel 31, the user takes out the amount of medicine (medicine sheets and / or fractional medicine) dispensed from the cassette Ca placed in the medicine dispensing unit 32. When it is necessary to dispense fractional medicine, the user places the medicine on the medicine placement table 37. The picking unit control unit 12 controls the imaging unit 335 to image the medicine placed on the medicine placement table 37. After that, the user takes out the medicine from the medicine placement table 37 and places it in the transport tray Tr placed on the tray placement table 38. When it is necessary to dispense a medicine sheet, the user wraps the medicine taken out from the medicine placement table 37 and the medicine sheet taken out from the cassette Ca into a predetermined shape using a rubber band or the like, and places it in the transport tray Tr placed on the tray placement table 38. When only the medicine sheet is dispensed, the user places only the medicine sheet in the transport tray Tr placed on the tray placement table 38. When dispensing multiple medicine sheets, the user wraps the multiple medicine sheets into a predetermined shape using a rubber band or the like in order to improve workability in subsequent processes (e.g., inspection work, medication work). Then the user places the wrapped medicine sheets in the transport tray Tr placed on the tray placement table 38. The picking unit control unit 12 controls the weighing unit 336 to weigh the medicine sheets and / or fractional medicine contained in the transport tray Tr. The picking unit control unit 12 (medicine determination unit 124) identifies the number of the placed medicines based on the weighing result of the weighing unit 336 and / or the imaging result of the imaging unit 335, and determines whether the number is a predetermined quantity based on the prescription data. The touch panel control unit 14 displays the determination result on the second touch panel 31.

[0391] Also, as shown in FIG. 33, as described in Embodiment 1, the drug delivery / reception unit 32 includes a shutter 322. The shutter 322 opens and closes in the Y-axis direction. In addition, the drug delivery / reception unit 32 includes a shutter 322a. The shutter 322a opens and closes in a direction substantially perpendicular to the shutter 322 (X-axis direction) under the control of the shutter control unit 122. Thereby, the shutter 322a can be opened and closed so as to correspond to the sizes of cassettes Ca of various widths (e.g., large cassette Ca1, medium cassette Ca2, small cassette Ca3, or cassette Ca4 including storage containers Ca41 or Ca42). When the shutter 322 opens in the Y-axis direction and the shutter 322a closes in the X-axis direction according to the width of the cassette Ca, the possibility of the drug sheet or the fractional drug falling from the cassette Ca can be reduced. Note that the opening and closing operations of the shutter 322 and the shutter 322a may be performed simultaneously, or either one of them may be performed first.

[0392] Further, the picking unit 3A includes a tray closing button 39 which is a mechanical button corresponding to the shutters 322 of the first drug delivery / reception unit 32a and the second drug delivery / reception unit 32b. When the tray closing button 39 corresponding to the shutter 322 is pressed while the shutter 322 is in the open state, the shutter control unit 122 controls to close the shutter 322.

[0393] Also, in the picking unit 3A, as shown in FIG. 33, the upper surface portion 3up provided with the drug delivery / reception unit 32 and the drug placement table 37 is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane. The upper surface portion 3up is inclined so as to become lower from the main body unit 2 side toward the user's standing position side (in the -Y-axis direction).

[0394] As shown by reference numeral 35002 in FIG. 35, the picking cassette transfer unit 35 operates the cassette gripping unit so that the opening surface of the inclined opening 321 and the upper surface of the cassette Ca4 gripped by the cassette gripping unit are substantially parallel. The cassette gripping unit is the first cassette gripping unit 351 or the second cassette gripping unit 355. For example, the picking cassette transfer unit 35 may include a mechanism for raising or lowering the first cassette gripping unit 351 (or the second cassette gripping unit 355) in the drug transfer unit 32. Since the upper surface portion 3up is inclined as described above, and the cassette Ca4 is inclined in the drug transfer unit 32 in accordance with the inclination, it is easy for the user to visually recognize the inside of the cassette Ca4.

[0395] As shown by reference numerals 35002 in FIGS. 33 and 35, the drug transfer unit 32 includes an edge portion 32ed. The edge portion 32ed has a tapered shape that slopes outward from the bottom side (the side of the picking cassette transfer unit 35) of the drug transfer unit 32 toward the opening 321 side (+Z-axis direction). Thereby, as shown by reference numeral 35001 in FIG. 35, when taking out the drug sheet from the cassette Ca4 arranged in the drug transfer unit 32, the drug sheet can be scraped out along the tapered edge portion 32ed (in the direction of the arrow in the figure) so as to slide.

[0396] Note that one first touch panel 5 and one second touch panel 31 are respectively provided for the picking unit 3A. Also, in the picking unit 3A, as in the picking unit 3 of the first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 9, a picking cassette transfer unit 35 is provided for each of the first drug transfer unit 32a and the second drug transfer unit 32b.

[0397] <Cassette> Next, with reference to FIGS. 36 to 38, a cassette Ca4, which is an example of the cassette Ca that can be used in the drug station of this specification, will be described. Note that the outer shape of the cassette Ca4 is substantially the same as that of the large cassette Ca1 shown in FIG. 3.

[0398] FIG. 36 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of cassette Ca4. Reference numeral 36001 in FIG. 36 is a perspective view showing an example of cassette Ca4 including housing container Ca41, and reference numeral 36002 is a plan view of cassette Ca4 including housing container Ca41. Further, reference numeral 36003 in FIG. 36 is a cross-sectional view of cassette Ca4 when cassette Ca4 including housing container Ca41 is cut along cutting line A-A'. FIG. 37 is a perspective view showing an example of cassette Ca4 including housing container Ca42, and reference numeral 37002 is a plan view of cassette Ca4 including housing container Ca42. Further, reference numeral 37003 in FIG. 37 is a cross-sectional view of cassette Ca4 when cassette Ca4 including housing container Ca42 is cut along cutting line B-B'. Reference numeral 37004 in FIG. 37 is a perspective view showing cassette Ca4 in a state where housing container Ca42 has slid. Further, reference numeral 37004 in FIG. 37 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of housing container Ca42 provided in cassette Ca4. FIG. 38 is a perspective view showing an example of cassette Ca4 including housing container Ca41 and housing container Ca42.

[0399] As shown in FIGS. 36 and 37, cassette Ca4 is different from large cassette Ca1 in that it includes convex portion Ca40, housing container Ca41 and / or housing container Ca42. Convex portion Ca40 is a convex-shaped portion provided along the side surface on the long side of cassette Ca4, and may be provided one by one on both side surfaces on the long side of cassette Ca4, or a plurality of them may be provided respectively.

[0400] As shown in FIG. 36, when a plurality of convex portions Ca40 are provided on each of the both side surfaces of cassette Ca4, a gap Ca45 is formed between adjacent convex portions Ca40. By forming this gap Ca45, as shown in FIGS. 37 and 38, partition portion Ca44 can be inserted into the inside of cassette Ca4. In this case, similar to the case described with reference to FIG. 3, a plurality of storage regions for storing the drug sheet can be provided inside cassette Ca4. Note that partition portion Ca11 in FIG. 3 may have the same shape as partition portion Ca44.

[0401] The storage container Ca41 is a container for storing leftover drugs. As shown in FIG. 36, it includes a peripheral portion Ca411, at least one storage portion Ca412, and an inclined portion Ca413. The storage container Ca41 may be fixed to one short side of the cassette Ca4 or may be in a removable state. When the user takes out the leftover drugs, it is preferable that one of the long sides of the storage container Ca41 is in contact with the end portion of the cassette Ca4 in the short-side direction.

[0402] The peripheral portion Ca411 is a plate-like portion provided along the short side of the storage container Ca41. When the storage container Ca41 is removable, the storage container Ca41 is supported by the cassette Ca4 when the peripheral portion Ca411 is placed on the convex portion Ca40 of the cassette Ca4.

[0403] The storage portion Ca412 is an area capable of storing leftover drugs. The storage portion Ca412 may have a size capable of storing the drug. Also, the storage portion Ca412 is inclined in the short-side direction. Specifically, the bottom Ca4121 of the storage portion Ca412 is inclined in the short-side direction. Also, the side wall Ca4122 of the storage portion Ca412 on the side that can contact the short side of the cassette Ca4 is also inclined in the short-side direction.

[0404] The storage container Ca41 is arranged in the cassette Ca4 such that the front side appears shallower as seen by the user due to the inclination of the bottom Ca4121 and the side wall Ca4122 when the user uses the cassette Ca4. By storing the drug sheet in the main body of the cassette Ca4 (the location where the storage container Ca41 is not arranged) and storing the leftover drugs in the storage container Ca41, the user can easily count and take out the drugs. Also, when the user takes out the leftover drugs, the inclination of the bottom Ca4121 and the side wall Ca4122 allows the leftover drugs to slide, so the user can easily scrape out the leftover drugs.

[0405] The side wall Ca4122 and the edge 32ed of the medicine delivery part 32 are formed so that the inclination angle of the side wall Ca4122 and the inclination angle of the edge 32ed are substantially the same, whereby the user can more easily scrape out the medicine from the storage container Ca41.

[0406] The inclined part Ca413 is provided on the long side of the storage container Ca41 that does not contact the short side of the cassette Ca4. The inclined part Ca413 is provided between the long side and the bottom Ca4121 of the storage container Ca41 and has an inclined structure that is inclined in the short direction. When the user takes out the medicine sheet from the main body of the cassette Ca, the user can easily scrape out the medicine sheet by sliding the medicine sheet along the inclined part Ca413.

[0407] Any number of ribs Ca414 may be provided on the bottom Ca4121 of the storage container Ca41. The ribs Ca414 are provided so as to extend in the short direction (that is, the direction in which the medicine is scraped out). Due to the ribs Ca414 arranged in this way, the storage part Ca412 is divided into a plurality of regions, and a fractional amount of medicine is stored in each of the regions. Therefore, the ribs Ca414 function as a guide when the user scrapes out the medicine stored in each region, and the user can more easily scrape out the medicine.

[0408] Further, the cassette Ca4 may include a storage container Ca42 instead of the storage container Ca41. As shown in FIG. 37, the storage container Ca42 is different from the storage container Ca41 in that it does not include the inclined part Ca413 and includes a rail-shaped member Ca421 extending along the short side. Also, in the cassette Ca4, the convex part Ca40 includes a groove Ca400. Further, the cassette Ca4 further includes a convex part Ca43.

[0409] The storage container Ca42 is supported by placing the rail-shaped member Ca421 on the convex portion Ca40. At this time, the rail-shaped member Ca421 of the storage container Ca42 fits into the groove Ca400 of the cassette Ca4. Thereby, the storage container Ca42 can slide along the groove Ca400. Further, in a state where the storage container Ca42 is attached to the cassette Ca4, the groove Ca400 and the convex portion Ca40 sandwich the rail-shaped member Ca421. Thereby, when the storage container Ca42 slides, the possibility of coming off from the cassette Ca4 can be reduced.

[0410] Further, since the storage container Ca42 does not have the inclined portion Ca413, the cassette Ca4 can store the drug sheet also below the storage container Ca42, so that the amount of the drug sheet that can be stored can be increased. Also, when the user takes out the fractional drug, by arranging the storage container Ca42 so as to abut against the short side of the cassette Ca4, the fractional drug can be arranged on the front side as seen by the user. On the other hand, when the user takes out the drug sheet, by sliding the storage container Ca42, the drug sheet can be taken out from the front side as seen by the user.

[0411] Since the drug delivery part 32 is inclined, when the storage container Ca42 is on the front side as seen by the user in the cassette Ca4, the drug sheet easily enters between the bottom surface of the storage container Ca42 and the bottom surface of the cassette Ca4. Thereby, the storage container Ca42 becomes an obstacle during the picking operation, and it becomes difficult for the user to take out the drug sheet. However, the storage container Ca42 is slidable. By moving the storage container Ca42, it becomes easier for the user to take out the drug sheet from the cassette Ca4.

[0412] Also, as shown in FIG. 38, a partition portion Ca44 may be provided in the cassette Ca4 to form a plurality of storage areas for storing the drug sheet inside the cassette Ca4. The partition portion Ca44 is removable and forms a plurality of storage areas by being inserted into the gap Ca45.

[0413] In this case, the cassette Ca4 may include a storage container Ca41 or a storage container Ca42 for each storage area. The storage container Ca41 or the storage container Ca42 may be arranged so that the user can easily use them in their respective storage areas. Note that all of the storage containers included in the cassette Ca4 may be storage containers Ca41, or all may be storage containers Ca42, or the storage containers Ca41 and the storage containers Ca42 may be provided in combination. Also, at least one of the plurality of storage areas may be configured without a storage container.

[0414] Note that the outer shape of the cassette Ca4 is not limited to only the large cassette Ca1 shown in FIG. 3, and it may be a medium cassette Ca2 or a small cassette Ca3. In this case, the shapes of the storage containers Ca41 and Ca42 are also changed according to the sizes of the medium cassette Ca2 or the small cassette Ca3.

[0415] <Cassette gripping part> Next, a configuration example of the cassette gripping part 226 included in the main body unit 2A of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 39 to 43. FIG. 39 is a perspective view showing an example of the cassette gripping part 226. Reference numeral 39001 in FIG. 39 indicates the case where the lid part 2267 is in the uppermost position, and reference numeral 39002 indicates the case where the lid part 2267 is in the position (contact position) in contact with the upper surface part of the cassette Ca.

[0416] Figures 40 and 41 are diagrams showing an example of the drive mechanism 2270 of the cassette gripping portion 226, and are perspective views when the cassette gripping portion 226 is viewed from below. Figures 42 and 43 are diagrams for explaining an operation example of the lid portion 2267 of the cassette gripping portion 226, and are cross-sectional views of the cassette gripping portion 226. Reference numeral 40001 in Figure 40 and reference numeral 42001 in Figure 42 indicate the case where the lid portion 2267 is in the uppermost position. Reference numeral 40002 in Figure 40 and reference numeral 42002 in Figure 42 indicate the case where the lid portion 2267 is in the standby position. Reference numeral 41001 in Figure 41 and reference numeral 43001 in Figure 43 indicate the case where the second moving portion 2272b described later is in the pushed-in position. Reference numeral 41002 in Figure 41 and reference numeral 43002 in Figure 43 indicate the case where the lid portion 2267 is in the contact position. In addition, in Figures 40 and 41, for ease of explanation of the drive mechanism 2270, the bottom plate etc. of the drive mechanism 2270 are appropriately removed.

[0417] (Configuration of Cassette Gripping Portion) The cassette gripping portion 226 has the same function as the cassette gripping portion 221 (see Figures 4 and 6) of Embodiment 1. That is, the cassette gripping portion 226 is controlled by the main body cassette transfer control unit 112, and pulls out and grips the cassette Ca from the cassette shelf 21 (see Figure 4) or the cassette holding portion 230 (see Figure 44). Further, the cassette gripping portion 226 delivers and stores the gripped cassette Ca in the cassette shelf 21 or the cassette holding portion 230. The cassette gripping portion 226 is slidably supported by the first support portion 224a and the second support portion 224b (see Figure 4) instead of the first cassette gripping portion 221a and the second cassette gripping portion 221b (see Figures 4 and 6) of Embodiment 1.

[0418] As shown in Fig. 39, the cassette gripping portion 226 mainly includes a cassette support portion 2261, a cassette drawing portion 2262, a first drive portion 2263, a first pulley 2264a, a second pulley 2264b, a first guide rail 2265, and a position sensor 2266. The cassette gripping portion 226 also includes a barcode sensor 2273. In addition, similar to the cassette gripping portion 221, the cassette gripping portion 226 includes a rotational drive portion (not shown) that enables access to a plurality of cassette shelves 21 (e.g., two cassette shelves 21 provided opposite each other).

[0419] The cassette support portion 2261 supports the cassette Ca when it is drawn out by the cassette drawing portion 2262.

[0420] Similar to the cassette drawing portion 2211 (see Fig. 6), the cassette drawing portion 2262 draws the cassette Ca placed on the cassette shelf 21 or the cassette holding portion 230 into the cassette gripping portion 226. Fig. 39 shows the state where the cassette Ca has been drawn in.

[0421] As shown by the reference numeral 42001 in Fig. 42, the cassette drawing portion 2262 includes a claw portion 2262a for hooking the claw receiving portion Ca12 provided on the cassette Ca. The method of drawing out the cassette Ca by the cassette drawing portion 2262 and the method of placing the cassette Ca on the cassette shelf 21 or the cassette holding portion 230 by the cassette drawing portion 2262 are the same as those of the cassette gripping portion 226 in Embodiment 1. Note that Figs. 42 and 43 show the state where the claw portion 2262a is not hooked on the claw receiving portion Ca12 of the cassette Ca.

[0422] The first driving unit 2263 moves the cassette extraction unit 2262 in the depth direction (Y-axis direction) of the cassette gripping unit 226, and is, for example, a motor. The first pulley 2264a and the second pulley 2264b transmit the driving force generated by the first driving unit 2263 to the first guide rail 2265. The rotation axis of the first pulley 2264a is connected to the rotation axis of the first driving unit 2263, and the rotation axis of the second pulley 2264b is connected to one side of the first guide rail 2265. The first pulley 2264a and the second pulley 2264b are connected by a belt.

[0423] The first guide rail 2265 is provided to extend in the above depth direction and slidably moves the cassette extraction unit 2262. The first guide rail 2265 is connected to a lower member (not shown) of the cassette extraction unit 2262, and rotates around the axis by the rotational force of the second pulley 2264b to move the cassette extraction unit 2262 in the above depth direction.

[0424] Similar to the position sensor 2214 (see FIG. 6), the position sensor 2266 detects that the cassette gripping unit 226 is located on the front surface of the cassette Ca to be moved.

[0425] The barcode sensor 2273 reads the barcode provided on the cassette Ca to identify the cassette Ca and detect the orientation of the cassette Ca.

[0426] The cassette gripping unit 226 further includes a lid portion 2267, a lifting portion 2268, a movable portion 2269, and a drive mechanism 2270. The drive mechanism 2270 also operates under the control of the main body cassette transfer control unit 112.

[0427] The lid portion 2267 functions as the lid of the cassette Ca. The lid portion 2267 is disposed above the cassette mounting table 2271 of the cassette gripping portion 226 so as to move in a direction substantially perpendicular (Z-axis direction) to the cassette mounting table 2271 on which the cassette Ca is placed. By providing the lid portion 2267, during the conveyance of the cassette Ca, the possibility that the drug sheet and the extra drugs stored in the cassette Ca will pop out of the cassette Ca can be reduced.

[0428] The elevating portion 2268 is connected to the lid portion 2267 and the cassette mounting table 2271, and moves the lid portion 2267 in the Z-axis direction with respect to the cassette mounting table 2271. The elevating portion 2268 is a member that expands and contracts in the Z-axis direction. In the present embodiment, the elevating portion 2268 has a link mechanism having a plurality of links 2268a and a plurality of joints 2268b, so that it can expand and contract in the Z-axis direction. In the present embodiment, the link mechanism is provided between both side portions of the lid portion 2267 and both side portions of the cassette mounting table 2271, thereby realizing the elevating portion 2268.

[0429] The movable portion 2269 is a support portion that is connected to the elevating portion 2268 and the drive mechanism 2270 and enables the elevating portion 2268 to move in the Z-axis direction. In the present embodiment, one end of the movable portion 2269 is connected to one joint 2268b, and the other end of the movable portion 2269 is connected to the moving portion 2270c of the drive mechanism 2270. Thereby, the movement of the moving portion 2270c in the depth direction and the movement of the movable portion 2269 can be interlocked. For example, when the moving portion 2270c moves, the elevating portion 2268 expands and contracts in the Z-axis direction. As a result, the lid portion 2267 moves in the Z-axis direction. Note that the moving portion 2270c also moves via the elevating portion 2268 and the movable portion 2269 due to the weight of the lid portion 2267.

[0430] (Configuration of the drive mechanism) The drive mechanism 2270 controls the telescopic movement of the lifting part 2268. As shown in FIGS. 39 to 41, the drive mechanism 2270 mainly includes a second guide rail 2270a, a third guide rail 2270b, a moving part 2270c, a second drive part 2270d, a third pulley 2270e, a fourth pulley 2270f, and a position sensor 2270g. For ease of explanation, in FIGS. 40 and 41, the second drive part 2270d is only shown by the reference numeral 40001 in FIG. 40.

[0431] The second guide rail 2270a and the third guide rail 2270b are provided extending in the depth direction (Y-axis direction), and the moving part 2270c is slidably moved using a slide mechanism with a screw-like structure of the second guide rail 2270a. In the present embodiment, the second guide rail 2270a with a screw cut on the shaft is provided at the central part of the drive mechanism 2270, and two third guide rails 2270b made of shafts are provided so as to sandwich the second guide rail 2270a.

[0432] The second guide rail 2270a and the third guide rail 2270b are connected to the moving part 2270c. The second guide rail 2270a rotates around the axis by the rotational force of the fourth pulley 2270f, thereby moving the moving part 2270c in the depth direction. The lengths of the second guide rail 2270a and the third guide rail 2270b only need to be defined such that the lid part 2267 can move between the uppermost position and the contact position.

[0433] The moving part 2270c moves along the second guide rail 2270a and the third guide rail 2270b, thereby moving the lifting part 2268 in the Z-axis direction via the movable part 2269.

[0434] The second drive unit 2270d moves the moving unit 2270c in the depth direction, and is, for example, a motor. The third pulley 2270e and the fourth pulley 2270f transmit the driving force generated by the second drive unit 2270d to the second guide rail 2270a. The rotation axis of the third pulley 2270e is connected to the rotation axis of the second drive unit 2270d, and the rotation axis of the fourth pulley 2270f is connected to one side of the second guide rail 2270a. The third pulley 2270e and the fourth pulley 2270f are connected by a belt.

[0435] The position sensor 2270g detects the position of the first moving unit 2272a described later, that is, the position of the moving unit 2270c, by detecting the presence of a dog 2272d described later. The main body cassette transfer control unit 112 can specify the position of the lid portion 2267 by receiving the detection result of the position sensor 2270g.

[0436] In the present embodiment, the position sensor 2270g includes a first position sensor 2273a, a second position sensor 2273b, a third position sensor 2273c, and a fourth position sensor 2273d. The first position sensor 2273a detects that the second moving unit 2272b is in the pushed-in position. The second position sensor 2273b detects that the lid portion 2267 is in the standby position.

[0437] The third position sensor 2273c detects that the lid portion 2267 is in a standby position set according to a cassette higher than the height of the cassette Ca (a cassette with a height h1). The fourth position sensor 2273d detects that the lid portion 2267 is in a standby position set according to a cassette higher than the cassette with a height h1 (a cassette with a height h2 (> h1)).

[0438] Therefore, for the second position sensor 2273b, the third position sensor 2273c, and the fourth position sensor 2273d, at least any one of the position sensors may be provided according to the height of the cassette. In this embodiment, it is sufficient that a second position sensor 2273b capable of detecting the presence of the lid portion 2267 at the standby position corresponding to the height of the cassette Ca is provided.

[0439] As shown in FIGS. 40 and 41, the moving part 2270c mainly includes a first moving part 2272a, a second moving part 2272b, a spring 2272c, and a dog 2272d.

[0440] The first moving part 2272a is connected to the third guide rail 2270b via a bush (not shown) and is connected to the housing 2272e of the moving part 2270c, but is not connected to the second guide rail 2270a. The second moving part 2272b is connected to the second guide rail 2270a via a guide (nut) 2272b1 that receives the threaded structure of the second guide rail 2270a. Also, the second moving part 2272b is connected to the third guide rail 2270b via a bush (not shown), but is not connected to the housing 2272e. Further, the first moving part 2272a and the second moving part 2272b are not connected to each other.

[0441] Since the second moving part 2272b is connected to the second guide rail 2270a, it moves in the depth direction upon receiving the driving force of the second driving part 2270d. On the other hand, since the first moving part 2272a is not connected to the second guide rail 2270a, it does not move directly receiving the driving force of the second driving part 2270d. The first moving part 2272a moves along the third guide rail 2270b in conjunction with the movement of the second moving part 2272b while in contact with the second moving part 2272b.

[0442] Since the first moving part 2272a is connected to the housing 2272e, it moves together with the housing 2272e. The housing 2272e is connected to the movable part 2269, and the movable part 2269 is connected to the elevating part 2268 connected to the lid part 2267. Therefore, the movement of the first moving part 2272a and the elevation of the lid part 2267 are interlocked. On the other hand, since the second moving part 2272b is not connected to the housing 2272e, it may move without being interlocked with the elevation of the housing 2272e, that is, the lid part 2267.

[0443] The spring 2272c is a restraining member that restrains the upward movement of the lid part 2267 at the above contact position. The restraining member may be realized by, for example, a telescopic member other than the spring 2272c as long as it has the same function as the spring 2272c. In the present embodiment, the spring 2272c is provided on each of the two third guide rails 2270b.

[0444] The dog 2272d is a member that is connected to the first moving part 2272a and is detected by the position sensor 2270g.

[0445] (Operation example of the moving part) As shown by the reference numeral 40001 in FIG. 40 and the reference numeral 42001 in FIG. 42, when the moving part 2270c is located at the first end part (+Y-axis direction side end part) of the drive mechanism 2270, the lid part 2267 is pushed up to the uppermost position. The uppermost position is the position of the lid part 2267 that is most separated from the cassette mounting table 2271.

[0446] Due to the driving force of the second driving unit 2270d, the second guide rail 2270a (slide screw) performs a rotational motion, and this rotational motion is received by the guide 2272b1 of the second moving unit 2272b. Since the above rotational motion is converted into a linear motion by the guide 2272b1, the second moving unit 2272b performs a linear motion along the second guide rail 2270a. The second moving unit 2272b moves the first moving unit 2272a in the +Y-axis direction by pushing the first moving unit 2272a while being in contact with it. As a result, the moving unit 2270c moves in the +Y-axis direction. In conjunction with this movement, the lid 2267 is pushed up via the housing 2272e, the movable part 2269, and the elevating part 2268. That is, when the moving unit 2270c moves to the first end, the lid 2267 is pushed up to the uppermost position.

[0447] As shown by reference numeral 40002 in FIG. 40 and reference numeral 42002 in FIG. 42, when the dog 2272d is detected by the second position sensor 2273b, the lid 2267 is located at the standby position. The standby position is the stop position of the lid 2267 when delivering the cassette Ca from the cassette gripping part 226 to the cassette shelf 21 or the cassette holding part 230. Or, the standby position is the stop position of the lid 2267 when pulling out the cassette Ca from the cassette shelf 21 or the cassette holding part 230 to the cassette gripping part 226. The standby position is the position where the lid 2267 waits during the above delivery or pulling out. Specifically, the standby position may be a position that is relatively close to the cassette Ca being delivered or pulled out, does not contact the cassette Ca, and does not impede the movement of the cassette Ca.

[0448] When moving the lid part 2267 from the uppermost position to the standby position, the main body cassette transfer control unit 112 releases the stopped state of the lid part 2267 at the uppermost position by the second drive unit 2270d. Thereby, for example, due to the own weight of the lid part 2267, the lid part 2267 descends from the uppermost position. As the lid part 2267 descends, as the elevating part 2268 contracts, the housing 2272e moves in the -Y axis direction via the movable part 2269. In conjunction with the movement of the housing 2272e, as the first moving part 2272a moves in the -Y axis direction, the first moving part 2272a pushes the second moving part 2272b while contacting the second moving part 2272b, so that the second moving part 2272b moves in the -Y axis direction. Thereby, the moving part 2270c moves in the -Y axis direction. Thereafter, when the dog 2272d is detected by the second position sensor 2273b, the main body cassette transfer control unit 112 drives the second drive unit 2270d to stop the lid part 2267 at the standby position.

[0449] When the second drive unit 2270d releases the stopped state of the lid part 2267 at the standby position, for example, due to the own weight of the lid part 2267, the lid part 2267 descends from the standby position. For example, when the cassette Ca is drawn into the inside of the cassette gripping part 226, the main body cassette transfer control unit 112 lowers the lid part 2267 from the standby position and brings it into contact with the upper surface part (the edge part of the cassette Ca) of the cassette Ca.

[0450] Note that the movement of the moving part 2270c is not limited to only being due to the own weight of the lid part 2267. For example, the moving part 2270c may be moved by driving the second drive unit 2270d to move the second moving part 2272b in the -Y axis direction. In this case, the second moving part 2272b moves in the -Y axis direction by the drive of the second drive unit 2270d, and the first moving part 2272a moves in the -Y axis direction while contacting the second moving part 2272b due to this movement and the own weight of the lid part 2267.

[0451] When the lid portion 2267 contacts the upper surface portion of the cassette Ca, the downward movement of the lid portion 2267 stops. This state is shown by reference numeral 41002 in FIG. 41 and reference numeral 43002 in FIG. 43, and the stop position of the lid portion 2267 at this time is the above contact position. Along with the stop of the lid portion 2267, the movement of the moving portion 2270c in the -Y-axis direction also stops. At this time, since the first moving portion 2272a is connected to the housing 2272e, it stops along with the stop of the lid portion 2267.

[0452] On the other hand, the second moving portion 2272b moves in the -Y-axis direction by the drive of the second drive portion 2270d, and compresses the spring 2272c. The state in which the spring 2272c is compressed by the second moving portion 2272b is shown by reference numeral 41001 in FIG. 41 and reference numeral 43001 in FIG. 43, and the position of the second moving portion 2272b at this time is the pushing-in position. In this state, the cassette gripping portion 226 conveys the cassette Ca placed on the cassette mounting table 2271 while holding it with the lid portion 2267 by the force of the spring 2272c and the self-weight of the lid portion 2267.

[0453] When the second moving portion 2272b compresses the spring 2272c as described above, due to the compressed force, it becomes easier to fix the moving portion 2270c at the position when the lid portion 2267 stops at the above contact position (the second end portion, which is the -Y-axis direction end portion of the drive mechanism 2270). Therefore, it is possible to make it difficult to move the moving portion 2270c in the +Y-axis direction. That is, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the lid portion 2267 moves in the direction away from the above contact position (the upward direction of the lid portion 2267) due to vibrations or the like generated when the cassette gripping portion 226 grips and conveys the cassette Ca. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the drug sheet or the remaining drug drops from the cassette Ca.

[0454] In addition, by providing the spring 2272c, when the lid portion 2267 is lowered by the drive of the second drive portion 2270d, the second drive portion 2270d does not require a high stop accuracy of the lid portion 2267, such as stopping when the lid portion 2267 contacts the upper surface portion of the cassette Ca. Therefore, even if the stop accuracy of the lid portion 2267 by the second drive portion 2270d is not increased, the cassette Ca can be held by the lid portion 2267.

[0455] Note that the length and tension of the spring 2272c may be such that the second moving portion 2272b that has compressed the spring 2272c can be returned to the position where it contacts the first moving portion 2272a.

[0456] Thereafter, when moving the lid portion 2267 that holds the cassette Ca from its position to the uppermost position or the standby position, the main body cassette transfer control unit 112 drives the second drive portion 2270d to move the moving portion 2270c in the +Y axis direction.

[0457] (Modification example) The cassette gripping portion 226 may include a lid portion 2267 and a lifting / lowering portion 2268 that raises and lowers the lid portion 2267. That is, the lifting / lowering portion 2268 may be any mechanism as long as it can raise and lower the lid portion 2267. The mechanism (e.g., the movable portion 2269 and the drive mechanism 2270) for operating the lifting / lowering portion 2268 can also be appropriately changed according to the structure of the lifting / lowering portion 2268.

[0458] For example, the lifting / lowering portion 2268 of the present embodiment has a link mechanism (a pantograph-shaped link mechanism) used for, for example, a magic hand of a toy as shown in FIG. 39, but is not limited thereto, and may have other link mechanisms capable of raising and lowering the lid portion 2267.

[0459] In addition, the lifting / lowering portion 2268 may have a structure other than the link mechanism. For example, the lifting / lowering portion 2268 may have support rods extending in the vertical direction that slidably support a part of the lid portion 2267 (e.g., the four corners of the lid portion 2267). Even in this case, the lid portion 2267 can be raised and lowered along the support rods.

[0460] However, in this case, the length of the support rod is constant. Therefore, when the lid portion 2267 descends from the uppermost position, the support rod protrudes from the lid portion 2267 in the +Z-axis direction. Therefore, for example, during the conveyance of the cassette Ca, the protruding portion of the support rod in one cassette gripping portion may collide (interfere) with the first main body cassette transfer portion 22a, the second main body cassette transfer portion 22b, or the other cassette gripping portion. Considering this point, it is preferable that the elevating portion 2268 is provided below the lid portion 2267 like the link mechanism of the present embodiment and has a mechanism that expands and contracts in accordance with the change in the vertical position of the lid portion 2267.

[0461] <Cassette holding portion> (Configuration of cassette holding portion) Hereinafter, the configuration of the cassette holding portion 230 provided in the main body unit 2A will be described. FIG. 44 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the cassette holding portion 230. Further, FIG. 45 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the transfer unit 241 provided in the cassette holding portion 230. In FIG. 44, for ease of explanation, the internal configuration of the picking unit 3A (the configuration of the picking cassette transfer portion 35) is omitted.

[0462] The cassette holding portion 230 is, like the cassette holding portion 23 of the first embodiment, a unit (buffer) that temporarily holds the cassette Ca transferred from the cassette shelf 21 or the medicine transfer portion 32 of the picking unit 3A. As shown in FIG. 44, the cassette holding portion 230 includes a main unit 240 and a sub-unit 250. The cassette Ca held by the cassette holding portion 230 may be any of the large cassette Ca1, medium cassette Ca2, small cassette Ca3, and cassette Ca4.

[0463] The main unit 240 includes a plurality of transfer units 241 for transferring the cassette Ca, and a housing 242 for storing the transfer units 241, and temporarily holds the cassette Ca. The main unit 240 is a cassette holding unit corresponding to the first cassette holding unit 23a (see FIG. 9) that enables the transfer of the cassette Ca to and from the first drug transfer unit 32a. The main unit 240 is used, for example, as a unit that temporarily holds the cassette Ca during the sequential dispensing of the drug sheet.

[0464] In the present embodiment, the main unit 240 includes five transfer units 241. The number of transfer units 241 included in the main unit 240 is not limited to five, and may be determined, for example, in consideration of the size of the main body unit 2A or the picking unit 3A, the efficiency of sequential dispensing of the drug sheet, etc. When a plurality of transfer units 241 are provided, each transfer unit 241 can hold the cassette Ca, so that the drug sheet can be efficiently dispensed. Note that the number of transfer units 241 may be one. In this case, the space required for the main unit can be reduced.

[0465] As shown in FIG. 45, the transfer unit 241 temporarily holds the cassette Ca in order to enable the transfer of the cassette Ca between the main body unit 2A and the first drug transfer unit 32a. The transfer unit 241 mainly includes a delivery cassette holding unit 243, a receiving cassette holding unit (retrieving unit) 244, a receiving cassette moving mechanism 245, a cassette sensor 246, and a retrieving unit sensor 247. The receiving cassette moving mechanism 245 may be controlled by the main body unit control unit 11 or the picking unit control unit 12.

[0466] In the transfer unit 241, in the initial state (a state where at least the cassette Ca is not held), the received cassette holding unit 244 is located at the retracted position R which is the position for the received cassette holding unit 244 to retract. When the cassette Ca is returned from the drug transfer unit 32, the received cassette holding unit 244 moves from the retracted position R to the transfer position Q which is the position for transferring the cassette Ca between the picking unit 3A. Thereby, the received cassette holding unit 244 can receive the cassette Ca from the picking cassette transfer unit 35 of the picking unit 3A. Further, after the received cassette holding unit 244 receives the cassette Ca from the picking cassette transfer unit 35, it retracts from the transfer position Q to the retracted position R. Thereby, since the transfer position Q becomes vacant, the delivery cassette holding unit 243 can receive a new cassette Ca from the main body cassette transfer unit 22 of the main body unit 2A. The cassette Ca held by the received cassette holding unit 244 is returned to the cassette shelf 21 by the main body cassette transfer unit 22 at the retracted position R. The retracted position R can also be referred to as the return position for returning the cassette Ca to the cassette shelf 21.

[0467] The delivery cassette holding unit 243 is a mounting table that temporarily holds the cassette Ca taken out from the cassette shelf 21 and delivered to the drug transfer unit 32. The delivery cassette holding unit 243 is located at the transfer position Q.

[0468] The received cassette holding unit 244 temporarily holds the cassette Ca returned from the drug transfer unit 32 to the cassette shelf 21. The received cassette holding unit 244 can move between the retracted position R and the transfer position Q by the received cassette moving mechanism 245.

[0469] The received cassette holding unit 244 mainly includes a returned cassette holding unit 2441, a top plate 2442, a rail connection unit 2443, sensor dogs 2444a and 2444b, and a belt connection unit 2445.

[0470] The return cassette holding unit 2441 holds the cassette Ca returned from the picking unit 3. The return cassette holding unit 2441 may be of a size and shape that allows the cassette Ca to be placed thereon and enables the movement of the receiving cassette holding unit 244 by the receiving cassette moving mechanism 245.

[0471] The top plate 2442 is a plate-like member that covers at least a part of the upper surface of the return cassette holding unit 2441. The rail connection part 2443 connects the top plate 2442 and the guide rail 2454 provided in the receiving cassette moving mechanism 245. The belt connection part 2445 connects the top plate 2442 and the belt 2452 provided in the receiving cassette moving mechanism 245.

[0472] The sensor dogs 2444a and 2444b are detected by the retraction unit sensor 247. The sensor dog 2444a is detected by the second sensor 2472 of the retraction unit sensor 247 when the receiving cassette holding unit 244 is disposed at the retraction position R. The sensor dog 2444b is detected by the first sensor 2471 of the retraction unit sensor 247 when the receiving cassette holding unit 244 is disposed at the transfer position Q. The sensor dogs 2444a and 2444b are respectively provided at positions on the top plate 2442 where the retraction unit sensor 247 can detect them when the receiving cassette holding unit 244 is disposed at the retraction position R or the transfer position Q.

[0473] As the belt 2452 moves with the driving of the driving unit 2453, the belt connection part 2445 connected to the belt 2452 moves. Along with this movement, the top plate 2442 connected to the belt connection part 2445 moves along the guide rail 2454 connected to the top plate 2442. Therefore, the return cassette holding unit 2441 connected to the top plate 2442 also moves along the guide rail 2454. In this way, the receiving cassette holding unit 244 can move between the retraction position R and the transfer position Q.

[0474] The cassette receiving mechanism 245 is a mechanism that moves the cassette receiving portion 244 between the transfer position Q and the retracted position R. The cassette receiving mechanism 245 mainly includes two pulleys 2451, a belt 2452, a driving portion 2453, and a guide rail 2454.

[0475] The pulley 2451 moves the belt 2452 by rotating due to the driving force generated by the driving portion 2453. The belt 2452 is suspended by the two pulleys 2451 and rotates between the two pulleys 2451 as the pulleys 2451 rotate. The driving portion 2453 rotates the belt 2452 by applying a driving force to the pulley 2451 and is, for example, a motor. The guide rail 2454 is suspended from the housing 242 of the main unit 240 so that the cassette receiving portion 244 can move between the transfer position Q and the retracted position R.

[0476] The cassette sensor 246 is a sensor that detects the cassette Ca. The main unit 240 includes a first cassette sensor 2461 and a second cassette sensor 2462 as the cassette sensor 246. The first cassette sensor 2461 is provided at a position on the housing 242 corresponding to the transfer position Q (a position facing the transfer cassette holding portion 243) and detects the cassette Ca present at the transfer position Q. The second cassette sensor 2462 is provided at a position on the housing 242 corresponding to the retracted position R and detects the cassette Ca present at the retracted position Q.

[0477] The first cassette sensor 2461 and the second cassette sensor 2462 input the detection results to the control device 10. The control device 10 determines the presence or absence of the cassette Ca at the transfer position Q or the retracted position R based on the detection results.

[0478] The retraction unit sensor 247 is a sensor that detects the receiving cassette holding unit 244. The main unit 240 includes a first sensor 2471 and a second sensor 2472 as the retraction unit sensor 247. The first sensor 2471 detects the receiving cassette holding unit 244 present at the transfer position Q. The second sensor 2472 detects the receiving cassette holding unit 244 present at the retraction position R. The first sensor 2471 and the second sensor 2472 are respectively arranged at positions on the housing 242 where the sensor dog 2444b or the sensor dog 2444a can be detected. The first sensor 2471 and the second sensor 2472 are transmissive sensors including, for example, a light source and a light detection unit that detects the light emitted from the light source.

[0479] The first sensor 2471 and the second sensor 2472 input the detection results to the control device 10. The control device 10 determines, based on the detection results, whether the receiving cassette holding unit 244 is arranged at either the transfer position Q or the retraction position R.

[0480] The sub-unit 250 is a cassette holding unit corresponding to the second cassette holding unit 23b shown in FIG. 9. The sub-unit 250 is used, for example, when the sub-unit 250 interrupts the picking operation or the filling operation for sequentially dispensing the drug sheets using the main unit 240 and individually dispenses the drug sheets, or when filling the drug sheets. That is, the sub-unit 250 is a cassette holding unit that enables an operation different from the operation in the main unit 240 to be performed simultaneously with the operation in the main unit 240. Note that, as the configuration of the sub-unit 250, the configuration of the main unit 240 may be adopted.

[0481] (Operation of the cassette holding unit) Hereinafter, an example of the operation flow of the cassette holding unit 230 provided in the main body unit 2A will be described. FIG. 46 is a diagram showing an example of the operation of the cassette holding unit 230. At the start of the operation of the cassette holding unit 230, the receiving cassette holding unit 244 is at the retraction position R.

[0482] First, as shown by reference numeral 46001 in FIG. 46, the cassette Ca containing the drug sheet to be prescribed is transferred from the cassette shelf 21 to the cassette holding portion 230 by the main body cassette transfer portion 22 and placed on the delivery cassette holding portion 243 existing at the transfer position Q.

[0483] The cassette Ca placed on the delivery cassette holding portion 243 is transferred to the drug transfer portion 32 by the picking cassette transfer portion 35. Thereby, the picking operation for the cassette Ca is performed. While the picking operation is being performed, the drive portion 2453 of the receiving cassette moving mechanism 245 is driven, and the pulley 2451 rotates, whereby the belt 2452 rotates and moves. Along with the rotational movement of the belt 2452, the receiving cassette holding portion 244 connected to the belt 2452 by the belt connection portion 2445 moves from the retracted position R to the transfer position Q as shown by reference numeral 46002 in FIG. 46.

[0484] After the picking operation is completed, the cassette Ca is transferred from the drug transfer portion 32 to the transfer position Q of the cassette holding portion 230 by the picking cassette transfer portion 35. At this time, as shown by reference numeral 46003 in FIG. 46, since the receiving cassette holding portion 244 is located at the transfer position Q, the cassette Ca is placed on the return cassette holding portion 2441 of the receiving cassette holding portion 244.

[0485] When the cassette Ca is placed on the receiving cassette holding portion 244, the receiving cassette moving mechanism 245 rotates and moves the belt 2452 in the opposite direction to when it was moved from the retracted position R to the transfer position Q. Thereby, the receiving cassette moving mechanism 245 moves (retracts) the receiving cassette holding portion 244 from the transfer position Q to the retracted position R as shown by reference numeral 46004 in FIG. 46. As a result, the delivery cassette holding portion 243 located at the transfer position Q can receive a new cassette Ca transferred from the cassette shelf 21.

[0486] As shown by reference numeral 46005 in Fig. 46, when the receiving cassette holding portion 244 moves to the retracted position R, the cassette Ca held by the receiving cassette holding portion 244 is returned to the cassette shelf 21 by the main body cassette transfer portion 22. Thereafter, by repeating the same operation, the dispensing of a plurality of types of drug sheets is sequentially performed.

[0487] In the present embodiment, the cassette holding portion 230 includes a plurality of transfer units 241. For example, it is assumed that the cassette holding portion 230 includes two transfer units 241 (referred to as transfer unit 241X and transfer unit 241Y, respectively). In this case, while the cassette Ca is being transferred from the transfer unit 241X to the drug transfer unit 32 and the picking operation is being performed, the main body cassette transfer portion 22 transfers a new cassette Ca from the cassette shelf 21 to the transfer unit 241Y and waits. While the transfer unit 241X is receiving the cassette Ca after the completion of the picking operation, the main body cassette transfer portion 22 transfers a new cassette Ca from the transfer unit 241Y to the drug transfer unit 32. By providing a plurality of transfer units 241 in this way, the efficiency of the picking operation can be improved.

[0488] 〔Embodiment 4〕 In the present embodiment, in particular, the differences from the drug station 1A including the main body unit 2A and the picking unit 3A shown in Fig. 31, which were described in Embodiment 3, will be mainly described.

[0489] <Configuration of the Picking Unit> FIG. 47 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the picking unit 3A. In FIG. 33, the barcode reader 34 is provided on the side surface of the picking unit 3A on the side of the user's standing position. However, as shown in FIG. 47, it may be provided on the upper surface portion 3up of the workbench 36 of the picking unit 3A. In this case, the efficiency of operations such as filling the cassette Ca placed on the medicine transfer unit 32 with medicine after reading the barcode by the barcode reader 34 can be improved. Also, the printer 1013 may also be provided on the upper surface portion 3up. In this case, it becomes easier for the user to access printed materials such as journals output from the printer 1013. Note that the barcode reader 34 and the printer 1013 may be provided in the same manner in the picking unit 3 of the first embodiment.

[0490] Also, the second touch panel 31 and the imaging unit 335 of the picking unit 3A are attached to the upper surface portion 3up via hinges so as to be tiltable toward the workbench 36 side. By tilting the second touch panel 31 and the imaging unit 335 toward the workbench 36 side, the door 25 (see FIGS. 31 and 48) of the main body unit 2A corresponding to the location where the second touch panel 31 and the imaging unit 335 are provided can be opened and closed. The printer 1013 is also attached to the upper surface portion 3up so as to be tiltable toward the workbench 36 side. By tilting the printer 1013 toward the workbench 36 side, even when the door 25 is opened to nearly 180 degrees from the closed state, collision of the door 25 with the printer 1013 can be avoided.

[0491] <Form of storing medicine in the main body unit> Generally, medicines are delivered to hospitals or pharmacies in a state of being packed in boxes. For example, in the case of a medicine sheet (e.g., a PTP sheet), a package in which a plurality of medicine sheets are packaged (pillow packaging) is further stored in a box and delivered. Also, for example, in the case of an ointment tube containing ointment, eye drops, or a powder medicine package containing powder medicine (e.g., powder medicine such as traditional Chinese medicine), the ointment tube, eye drops, or powder medicine package is each directly stored in a box and delivered.

[0492] It is not always necessary to accommodate the drug itself (the drug in a state removed from the box or packaging), such as a drug sheet, an ointment tube, eye drops, or a powder drug package, etc. in each cassette Ca of the main body unit 2A. Each cassette Ca may be accommodated in the state of a package or a box. That is, each cassette Ca may be accommodated in any of the following forms: (1) a box, (2) a package before being taken out of the box and before taking out the drug, or (3) a drug taken out of the package. In other words, the object of the picking operation or the filling operation may be not only the drug itself but also a box or a package. Note that in this specification, it should be noted that the term "drug" may refer to the drug itself, or may refer to a package containing the drug itself, or a box containing the package. Also, it should be noted that the drug itself or the package may sometimes refer to a sub-packaged product in which powders or tablets are sub-packaged by a sub-packaging machine.

[0493] When storing the drug in the main body unit 2A in a state taken out of the box or the package, the burden on the user during the picking operation can be reduced. When storing in the main body unit 2A as it is in the box provided by the pharmaceutical manufacturer or in the package as it is, the burden on the user during the filling operation can be reduced. Also, in this case, the drugs can be managed in units of a plurality in the cassette Ca, and the drugs can be stored in a light-shielded manner. In particular, when managing in the state of the box as it is, since it is managed in the unopened state, it is possible to return it to the destination of delivery. That is, it can be stored in the main body unit 2A in a returnable state.

[0494] The storage form of the drug in the main body unit 2A (at least any one of the above (1) to (3) storage forms) may be set for each drug type. In this case, the control device 10 (see FIG. 2) may, for example, specify the storage form of the drug to be filled, and display the storage form on the second touch panel 31. By this display, it is possible to guide the user about the storage form for each drug type.

[0495] Note that similarly in the main body unit 2 of the first embodiment, not only the drug itself but also a box or a package may be stored.

[0496] <Control in the main body unit> FIG. 48 is a front view showing an example of the main body unit 2A and the picking unit 3A. In FIG. 48, for convenience of explanation, a state in which the door 25 corresponding to the position where the picking unit 3A is disposed is open is illustrated. Further, in FIG. 48, the second touch panel 31 and the imaging unit 335 are tilted toward the workbench 36, and the printer 1013 is standing upright with respect to the workbench 36 (not tilted toward the workbench 36).

[0497] As shown in FIG. 48, a temporary delivery cassette holding portion 215 may be provided in the main body unit 2A. The temporary delivery cassette holding portion 215 temporarily holds the cassette Ca delivered to the delivery cassette holding portion 243 (see FIGS. 44 and 45) when the cassette Ca is held by the delivery cassette holding portion 243 and the delivery cassette holding portion 243 cannot hold a new cassette Ca. For example, a cassette placement position existing at a position in the cassette shelf 21 where the main body cassette transfer portion 22 (see FIG. 2) is easily accessible to the picking unit 3A is made to function as the temporary delivery cassette holding portion 215.

[0498] In the present embodiment, a plurality of cassette placement plates 211 existing at a position corresponding to the upper position of the picking unit 3A and adjacent to the picking unit 3A are set as the temporary delivery cassette holding portion 215. That is, the cassette placement plate 211 existing at a position easily accessible from the picking unit 3A is set as the temporary delivery cassette holding portion 215.

[0499] On the cassette mounting plate 211 set as the temporary delivery cassette holding part 215, during normal drug dispensing processing (during picking work), a cassette Ca containing frequently used drugs is placed. When the user performs a filling operation, the main body cassette transfer part 22 temporarily moves the frequently used cassette Ca to a location away (a cassette mounting plate 211 different from the temporary delivery cassette holding part 215) in advance. As a result, the main body cassette transfer part 22 can provide an empty area corresponding to the number of drugs (number of drug types) required for one filling operation at a position easily accessible from the picking unit 3A. Then, the drug station 1A can be prepared for the filling operation. After that, when the filling operation is completed, the main body cassette transfer part 22 returns the frequently used cassette Ca placed in the separated location to the temporary delivery cassette holding part 215 (that is, the original cassette mounting position) during the idle time. When the cassette Ca is placed on the temporary delivery cassette holding part 215, the main body cassette transfer part 22 returns the cassette Ca to the original cassette mounting position and also returns the frequently used cassette Ca to the temporary delivery cassette holding part 215 (that is, the original cassette mounting position).

[0500] Note that as long as the main body cassette transfer part 22 is in a position easily accessible to the picking unit 3A, any cassette mounting position may be set as the temporary delivery cassette holding part 215. For example, when viewing the drug station 1A from the front, the cassette mounting position adjacent to the picking unit 3A in the lateral direction (X-axis direction) of the cassette shelf 21 may be set as the temporary delivery cassette holding part 215.

[0501] A multi-filling mode for filling a large number of drugs at one time is set in the drug station 1A. For example, when filling the drugs delivered to a hospital or pharmacy into the main body unit 2A, the multi-filling mode is selected by the user.

[0502] When the multiple filling mode is selected, the main unit control unit 11 (see FIG. 2) identifies the cassette placement position set as the temporary delivery cassette holding unit 215. The main unit control unit 11 controls the main unit cassette transfer unit 22 to move the cassette Ca placed at the cassette placement position to a cassette placement position where the cassette Ca is not placed. As a result, it becomes possible to temporarily hold the cassette Ca to be delivered to the delivery cassette holding unit 243 at the cassette placement position that functions as the temporary delivery cassette holding unit 215.

[0503] Also, when the multiple filling mode is selected, the main unit control unit 11 acquires, from the delivery data regarding the delivered drug, information regarding the drug to be stored in the main unit 2A from the warehousing system and stores it in the storage unit 15. When there is no cassette Ca that contains the drug indicated by the information acquired from the warehousing system, the main unit control unit 11 associates the drug identification information of the drug with the cassette identification information of the empty cassette Ca.

[0504] When receiving an input operation to start filling the drug into the main unit 2A, the main unit control unit 11 controls the main unit cassette transfer unit 22 to sequentially transfer the cassette Ca that contains the drug to be filled from the cassette placement position to the delivery cassette holding unit 243. The drug to be filled is the drug indicated by the information acquired from the delivery data. The picking unit control unit 12 controls the picking cassette transfer unit 35 (see FIG. 2) to sequentially transfer the cassette Ca held by the delivery cassette holding unit 243 to the drug transfer unit 32. Also, the picking unit control unit 12 transfers the cassette Ca for which the filling operation has been completed to the receiving cassette holding unit 244 (see FIGS. 44 and 45). The main unit control unit 11 transfers (returns) the cassette Ca to the cassette placement position where the cassette Ca was stored.

[0505] During the above processing, when determining the transfer destination of the cassette Ca, the main unit control unit 11 determines whether the cassette Ca can be held by the delivery cassette holding unit 243. In the present embodiment, the main unit control unit 11 determines whether the cassette Ca can be held by any one of a plurality (five in the examples of FIGS. 44 and 45) of the delivery cassette holding units 243 (that is, whether there is an empty delivery cassette holding unit 243). When the main unit control unit 11 determines that the cassette Ca cannot be held by the delivery cassette holding unit 243, the main unit control unit 11 determines the transfer destination of the cassette Ca to any one of the cassette placement positions of the cassette shelf 21 set as the temporary delivery cassette holding unit 215. The main unit control unit 11 transfers the cassette Ca to the determined cassette placement position.

[0506] Note that the selection of the mass filling mode may be performed, for example, by providing a mass filling mode selection button in the filling image 20001 shown in FIG. 20. For example, when an input operation on the mass filling mode button is received, the main unit control unit 11 acquires information about the drug included in the delivery data and targeted for filling into the main unit 2A from the inventory system. The touch panel control unit 14 enables the acquired information to be displayed in the extraction result display area A643 of the filling image 20001. Then, when an input operation on the cassette movement button A645 is received, the main unit control unit 11 controls the main body cassette transfer unit 22 to start transferring the cassette Ca containing the drug to be filled to the cassette holding unit 230 (see FIG. 44).

[0507] The drug station 1A having the above functions can be expressed as follows. That is, the drug station 1A (cassette transfer device) includes a cassette shelf 21, a drug transfer unit 32, and a delivery cassette holding unit 243. When a cassette Ca is held by the delivery cassette holding unit 243, the drug station 1A provides a temporary delivery cassette holding unit 215 at a position that is part of the cassette shelf 21 and is easily accessible to the delivery cassette holding unit 243. The temporary delivery cassette holding unit 215 temporarily holds the cassette Ca that is taken out from a location different from a part of the cassette shelf 21 and delivered to the delivery cassette holding unit 243. Note that the case where the cassette Ca is held by the delivery cassette holding unit 243 refers to, for example, the case where the cassette Ca is held by all of a plurality of delivery cassette holding units 243.

[0508] For example, when filling the cassette shelf 21 with the received drugs, if the number of drugs to be filled is large, such as when there are many drugs to be filled, the filling operation also takes time. When filling the cassette shelf 21 with a large number of drugs in this way, the main unit control unit 11 sequentially transfers the cassette Ca containing the drug to be filled to the delivery cassette holding unit 243. However, when the cassette Ca cannot be held by the delivery cassette holding unit 243 (for example, when the cassette Ca is held by all of a plurality of delivery cassette holding units 243), the main unit control unit 11 cannot transfer the cassette until the delivery cassette holding unit 243 becomes empty.

[0509] As described above, when the delivery cassette holding unit 243 of the drug station 1A becomes unable to hold the cassette Ca, the temporary delivery cassette holding unit 215 is provided at a position in a part of the cassette shelf 21 that is easily accessible to the delivery cassette holding unit 243. Thereby, the cassette Ca to be transferred to the drug delivery unit 32 can be temporarily held in the vicinity of the delivery cassette holding unit 243. Therefore, the drug station 1A can shorten the transfer time to the delivery cassette holding unit 243, so that the possibility of a situation where the cassette Ca to be transferred is not held in the delivery cassette holding unit 243 can be reduced. Accordingly, the drug station 1A can assist in improving the efficiency of the filling operation by the user.

[0510] Further, the main body unit control unit 11 may control the main body cassette transfer unit 22 to take out the cassette Ca from the cassette shelf 21 in the order of the received drugs.

[0511] When drugs are delivered to a hospital or a pharmacy, information about the drugs is input to the warehousing system in the order of the received drugs. The received data is a list of this information in the order of input. After the user performs the inspection work while looking at a printed material (list of received drugs) printed with the received data, the user fills the drugs into the main body unit 2A.

[0512] After the barcode attached to the drug inspected by the user is read by the barcode reader 34, the time from when the cassette Ca containing the drug is taken out from the cassette shelf 21 until it arrives at the drug delivery unit 32 becomes the filling standby time of the user. In this case, depending on the placement position of the cassette Ca on the cassette shelf 21, the filling standby time may become long.

[0513] Therefore, when receiving an input operation (e.g., a selection operation for the multi-filling mode) to start the filling operation of the delivered drug, the main unit control unit 11 acquires information on the drug to be stored in the main unit 2A from the delivery data and stores it in the storage unit 15. At this time, the main unit control unit 11 also acquires order information indicating the order input to the warehousing system (the order of delivery) from the warehousing system and stores it in the storage unit 15. When there is no cassette Ca for accommodating the drug indicated by the information acquired from the warehousing system, the main unit control unit 11 associates the drug identification information of the drug with the cassette identification information of the empty cassette Ca.

[0514] When receiving an input operation to start filling the main unit 2A, the main unit control unit 11 controls the main cassette transfer unit 22 to transfer the cassette Ca for accommodating the drug to be filled, in the order indicated by the order information, from the cassette shelf 21 to the transfer cassette holding unit 243. The picking unit control unit 12 controls the picking cassette transfer unit 35 to transfer the cassette Ca held by the transfer cassette holding unit 243 to the drug transfer unit 32 or the standby position P2 (see FIGS. 11 and 12) in the above order. When the cassette Ca is transferred to the standby position P2, the picking unit control unit 12 transfers the cassette Ca from the standby position P2 to the drug transfer unit 32 in the above order.

[0515] The order of the drugs displayed on the printed matter matches the order of input to the warehousing system (the order indicated by the order information). Also, the user performs the inspection work in this order. Therefore, the main unit control unit 11 and the picking unit control unit 12 can wait for the cassette Ca at the transfer cassette holding unit 243 or the standby position P2 in the order in which the inspection work is performed. Then, the picking unit control unit 12 can transfer the cassette Ca from the cassette holding unit 230 or the standby position P2 to the drug transfer unit 32 in the order in which the inspection work is performed. Therefore, the main unit control unit 11 and the picking unit control unit 12 can shorten the time for transferring the cassette Ca from the cassette shelf 21, thus assisting in shortening the filling operation time.

[0516] Note that the function of providing the temporary delivery cassette holding part 215 at a part of the cassette shelf 21 can also be realized in the drug station 1 of the first embodiment. The same applies to the function of transferring the cassette Ca stored in the cassette shelf 21 to the delivery cassette holding part 243 in the order input to the storage system (the order of delivery), and the function of transferring the cassette Ca to the drug transfer part 32. Note that the function of transferring the cassette Ca to the drug transfer part 32 includes the case where it is transferred to the drug transfer part 32 via the standby position P2.

[0517] <Control in the picking unit> (Opening and closing timing of the shutter between the first drug transfer part and the second drug transfer part) As shown in FIGS. 33 and 47, the picking unit 3A includes a first drug transfer part 32a and a second drug transfer part 32b as the drug transfer part 32. The picking unit control part 12 can transfer the cassette Ca to both the first drug transfer part 32a and the second drug transfer part 32b.

[0518] When one shutter 322 of the first drug transfer part 32a and the second drug transfer part 32b is open, the picking unit control part 12 does not open the other shutter 322 and keeps it closed. That is, even when the cassette Ca has arrived at each of the first drug transfer part 32a and the second drug transfer part 32b, the picking unit control part 12 opens only one shutter 322 of the first drug transfer part 32a and the second drug transfer part 32b. For example, when an individual drug dispensing operation or filling operation (individual dispensing operation or individual filling operation) is performed interrupting the picking operation, the picking unit control part 12 controls the opening and closing of the shutter 322 as described above. The same applies to the case where a filling operation is performed separately from the picking operation.

[0519] If both the first drug transfer unit 32a and the second drug transfer unit 32b are opened, the user can access the two cassettes Ca. In this case, there is a possibility that the user may mistake the cassette Ca from which the drug is to be taken out or the cassette Ca for the filling destination. When only one shutter 322 of the first drug transfer unit 32a and the second drug transfer unit 32b is opened, the possibility of such a mistake can be reduced.

[0520] Also, for example, during the filling operation that is not individual filling, the picking unit control unit 12 can also transfer the cassette Ca to each of the first drug transfer unit 32a and the second drug transfer unit 32b. In this case, by the picking unit control unit 12 controlling the opening and closing of the shutter 322 as described above, the shutter 322 of the first drug transfer unit 32a and the shutter 322 of the second drug transfer unit 32b can be alternately opened and closed. Therefore, since the user can alternately access the cassette Ca that has arrived at the first drug transfer unit 32a and the second drug transfer unit 32b, the filling operation can be efficiently performed.

[0521] Note that the opening and closing timing of the shutter 322 described above can also be realized in the drug station 1 of Embodiment 1.

[0522] (Opening control of shutter based on barcode reading) The picking unit control unit 12 may open the shutter 322 after the barcode is read once by the barcode reader 34, or may open the shutter 322 after the barcode is read twice.

[0523] For example, when performing a filling operation (including an individual filling operation), the main body unit control unit 11 identifies the cassette Ca (the cassette Ca that stores the drug to be filled) corresponding to the drug identification information (e.g., GS1 code) indicated by the barcode read by the barcode reader 34. The main body unit control unit 11 transfers the identified cassette Ca to the cassette holding unit 230. The picking unit control unit 12 transfers the cassette Ca transferred to the cassette holding unit 230 to the drug transfer unit 32.

[0524] When the shutter 322 is opened after one barcode reading, since the barcode has already been read, the picking unit control section 12 opens the shutter 322 after transferring the cassette Ca to the medicine receiving / giving section 32. After that, when the barcode is read again, the picking unit control section 12 determines whether the medicine identification information indicated by the barcode matches the medicine identification information associated with the cassette Ca. The touch panel control section 14 displays the determination result on the second touch panel 31.

[0525] When the user visually confirms the determination result that the two pieces of medicine identification information match, the user fills the cassette Ca with medicine. When the user visually confirms the determination result that the two pieces of medicine identification information do not match, the user does not fill the cassette Ca with medicine and checks the suitability of the medicine to be filled in the cassette Ca.

[0526] Thus, when the picking unit control section 12 opens the shutter 322 after one barcode reading, the user can perform the filling operation efficiently. Also, due to the display of the determination result, even when the picking unit control section 12 opens the shutter 322 after one barcode reading, the user can fill the corresponding cassette Ca with medicine.

[0527] On the other hand, when the shutter 322 is opened after the second barcode reading, the picking unit control section 12 waits for the barcode reader 34 to read the barcode again after transferring the cassette Ca to the medicine receiving / giving section 32. When the barcode is read again, the picking unit control section 12 determines whether the medicine identification information indicated by the barcode matches the medicine identification information associated with the cassette Ca.

[0528] When the two drug identification pieces of information match, the picking unit control unit 12 opens the shutter 322. In this case, the user fills the cassette Ca with the drug. When the two drug identification pieces of information do not match, the touch panel control unit 14 displays an image indicating that the two drug identification pieces of information do not match. In this case, the user does not fill the cassette Ca with the drug and checks the suitability of the drug to be filled in the cassette Ca.

[0529] Thus, when opening the shutter 322 after the second barcode reading, the picking unit control unit 12 can open the cassette Ca only when the two drug identification pieces of information match. Therefore, the possibility of the user misfilling the cassette Ca can be further reduced.

[0530] If this point is not considered, the picking unit control unit 12 may open the shutter 322 after the second barcode reading without waiting for the display of the determination result. In this case, the touch panel control unit 14 may assist in preventing misfilling by the user by displaying the determination result on the second touch panel 31.

[0531] Note that the determination result only needs to be notified to the user. Not limited to the display of the determination result on the second touch panel 31, for example, the determination result may be notified by a lighting or extinguishing pattern of a light emitting device (e.g., the tray closing button (shutter closing button) 39). Also, for example, the determination result may be notified by sound. Also, the opening and closing timing of the shutter 322 described above can also be realized in the drug station 1 of the first embodiment.

[0532] (Shutter closing control) As shown in FIGS. 33 and 47, the picking unit 3A includes a tray closing button 39. The tray closing button 39 may include a light emitting device (e.g., LED (Light Emitting Diode)) inside thereof. The picking unit control unit 12 notifies the user of closing the shutter 322 by lighting the tray closing button 39. In this case, the user can recognize the timing of closing the shutter 322 by the lighting of the tray closing button 39.

[0533] In addition, the picking unit control unit 12 invalidates the input operation (pressing operation) on the tray closing button 39 for closing the shutter 322 received while the tray closing button 39 is turned off. Therefore, even when the user accidentally presses the tray closing button 39 while the shutter 322 is open, the open state of the shutter 322 can be maintained.

[0534] During the picking operation (sequentially dispensing), the picking unit control unit 12 lights the tray closing button 39, for example, after receiving a pressing operation on all the check boxes included in the supplementary information display area B15 of the explanatory display image 24002 (see FIG. 24). The picking unit control unit 12 turns off the tray closing button 39 at the timing when the shutter 322 closes after receiving a pressing operation on the tray closing button 39.

[0535] During the filling operation (including the individual filling operation), the picking unit control unit 12 lights the tray closing button 39 when the shutter 322 opens, for example, and turns off the tray closing button 39 when the tray closing button 39 is pressed and the shutter 322 closes.

[0536] The user performs operations while visually recognizing the contents of various images displayed on the second touch panel 31. Particularly during the picking operation, the user performs operations while visually recognizing the number of drugs to be taken out, supplementary information (additional information) related to the drugs, etc., displayed on the second touch panel 31. Therefore, the user's attention is likely to be concentrated on the information displayed on the second touch panel 31. For this reason, even if the tray close button 39 is lit after the user has performed input operations on all the check boxes, the user may not notice the lit state (the state in which the tray close button 39 can be pressed). In this case, since the user does not close the shutter 322 at a timing when it is possible to close the shutter 322, the work efficiency may decrease.

[0537] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 49, the touch panel control unit 14 displays a guidance image 49001 for guiding the closing of the shutter 322 on the second touch panel 31. FIG. 49 is a diagram showing an example of the guidance image 49001. The touch panel control unit 14, for example, displays the guidance image 49001 after receiving input operations on all the check boxes. Thereby, the touch panel control unit 14 can notify the timing to close the shutter 322. Therefore, the touch panel control unit 14 can cause the user to press the tray close button 39 at an appropriate timing. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the possibility of a decrease in work efficiency during the picking operation.

[0538] (Modification example of shutter closing control) The tray close button 39 may have a function of receiving an input operation on the check box in the supplementary information display area B15 in addition to the function of closing the shutter 322. In this case, without performing an input operation on the check box displayed on the second touch panel 31, the input operation can be performed simply by pressing the tray close button 39. Therefore, the user can perform the input operation by a simpler method.

[0539] For example, when a plurality of check boxes are displayed, some users may find it cumbersome to perform input operations on each check box displayed on the second touch panel 31. Even in such a case, the user only needs to press the tray close button 39.

[0540] However, consider the case where the picking unit control unit 12 recognizes that when the tray close button 39 is pressed more times than the number of check boxes displayed on the second touch panel 31, it is an input operation to complete the input operation to the check box and close the shutter 322. In this case, even if the user does not intend to close the shutter 322 and simply presses the tray close button 39 more times than the number of check boxes, the picking unit control unit 12 closes the shutter 322. After the picking unit control unit 12 closes the shutter 322, it transports the cassette Ca to the cassette holding unit 230 (that is, starts the return operation to the main body unit 2A). Therefore, it may be necessary to transfer the cassette Ca, which is the work target, from the main body unit 2A to the drug delivery unit 32 again.

[0541] In the present embodiment, when the picking unit control unit 12 receives an input operation for all the check boxes displayed on the second touch panel 31 via the tray close button 39, it waits for the reception of the input operation to close the shutter 322. After the picking unit control unit 12 receives an input operation to close the shutter 322 other than the tray close button 39, when the tray close button 39 is pressed, it closes the shutter 322. That is, even if the tray close button 39 is pressed more times than the number of displayed check boxes, the picking unit control unit 12 invalidates the pressing until it receives the input operation to close the shutter 322.

[0542] When the touch panel control unit 14 receives an input operation for all the check boxes displayed on the second touch panel 31 via the tray close button 39, it displays, on the second touch panel 31, an image for receiving an input operation to close the shutter 322. When the user performs an input operation on the image, the picking unit control unit 12 enables the function of closing the shutter 322 of the tray close button 39.

[0543] This can prevent the shutter 322 from closing when the user does not intend to close the shutter 322 and simply presses the tray close button 39 more times than the number of check boxes. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the possibility that the work efficiency may decrease when the user closes the shutter 322 unintentionally.

[0544] In addition, the user does not need to perform an input operation on the check box via the tray close button 39 while worrying about the number of times the tray close button 39 is pressed. Therefore, the user can perform the input operation more simply.

[0545] (Control for opening the shutter for the next drug filling) As described in Embodiment 1, the picking unit control unit 12 determines whether or not the prescribed dispensing quantity of drugs has been taken out of the cassette Ca based on the image of the drugs captured by the imaging unit 335 and the weight of the drugs measured by the weighing unit 336 (see FIG. 2).

[0546] After determining that the prescribed quantity of medicine has been taken out, the picking unit control section 12 enables the pressing operation for closing the shutter 322 with respect to the tray closing button 39. However, even before the picking unit control section 12 determines that the prescribed quantity of medicine has been taken out (before determination), it may enable the acceptance of the above pressing operation. In this case, the picking unit control section 12 can close the shutter 322 by the pressing operation with respect to the tray closing button 39 before the above determination. As a result, the picking unit control section 12 can convey the cassette Ca from which the medicine has been taken out from the medicine transfer unit 32 to the main body unit 2A, and can call the cassette Ca (next cassette Ca) for accommodating the next medicine to the medicine transfer unit 32. Therefore, the working efficiency of the picking operation can be improved.

[0547] In order to make the above determination, the picking unit control section 12 waits for the output of the measurement result from the weighing section 336. Particularly when the weighing section 336 is a load cell, it waits for the output of the measurement result for the time until the operation of the load cell stabilizes. Even before the above determination, when enabling the acceptance of the above pressing operation, the picking unit control section 12 can close the shutter 322 by the pressing operation with respect to the tray closing button 39 without waiting for the time until the measurement result is output. Also, in this case, the picking unit control section 12 can close the shutter 322 by the above pressing operation without waiting for the time from acquiring the measurement result to outputting the determination result.

[0548] Also, when the user gets used to the picking operation, the possibility that the user makes a mistake in the quantity of medicine taken out from the cassette Ca becomes low. Also, for example, when there is no fractional extraction from the cassette Ca (when only a plurality of medicine sheets are taken out from the cassette Ca), or when taking out a medicine other than a medicine sheet that does not cause a fraction (e.g., ointment, eye drops, powder medicine) from the cassette Ca, the same applies. Also in such cases, the function of the picking unit control section 12 to enable the acceptance of the above pressing operation even before the above determination is useful.

[0549] However, there may be a case where the picking unit control unit 12 determines that the prescribed dispensing quantity of the drug has not been taken out from the cassette Ca. In this case, the touch panel control unit 14 displays the determination result on the second touch panel 31. However, if the user presses the tray close button 39 before visually recognizing this display, the picking unit control unit 12 closes the shutter 322 and then conveys the cassette Ca to the main body unit 2A. That is, although the picking unit control unit 12 determines that the prescribed dispensing quantity of the drug has not been taken out from the cassette Ca, it returns the cassette Ca existing in the drug transfer unit 32 to the main body unit 2A and calls the next cassette Ca to the drug transfer unit 32.

[0550] Therefore, the main body unit control unit 11 and the picking unit control unit 12 have a function of calling the cassette Ca returned to the main body unit 2A to the drug transfer unit 32 again based on an input operation by the user. Thereby, the user can call back the cassette Ca containing the drug that has become the determination target that the prescribed dispensing quantity of the drug has not been taken out from the cassette Ca to the drug transfer unit 32 and check the adequacy of the quantity of the drug stored in the transport tray Tr.

[0551] For example, the picking unit control unit 12 associates the above determination result with the prescription data and stores it in the storage unit 15. The user places the transport tray Tr containing the drug that is the determination target on the tray mounting table 38 and causes the barcode reader 34 to read the barcode of the drug. The picking unit control unit 12 determines whether the drug with the read barcode is the drug that has become the determination target based on the read barcode and the determination result stored in the storage unit 15. Instead of the barcode, information for specifying the drug, such as the drug name, may be input. When it is determined that the drug with the barcode is the drug that has become the determination target, the main body unit control unit 11 and the picking unit control unit 12 specify the cassette Ca to be called back and convey it from the main body unit 2A to the drug transfer unit 32.

[0552] Note that even before the above determination, the function of enabling the reception of the above pressing operation and the function of enabling the reception of the above pressing operation after it is determined that a prescribed quantity of the drug has been taken out may be switched, for example, by the user's selection. Further, for example, these two functions may be set according to each type of drug, each quantity of the drug to be taken out, or the presence or absence of a fraction.

[0553] <Example of display image on the first touch panel> Next, an example of a display image on the first touch panel 5 will be described. FIG. 50 is a diagram showing a sequential dispensing image 50001 which is another example of the sequential dispensing image 17001 shown in FIG. 17. As shown in FIG. 50, the sequential dispensing image 50001 is different from the sequential dispensing image 17001 in that a “number of drugs” column is included in the dispensing list display area A20 in addition to the “order” column, “patient” column, “status” column, “waiting time” column, and “presence or absence of dispensing other...

Claims

1. A cassette shelf for storing a plurality of cassettes in which drugs are contained, a drug transfer unit capable of taking out the drug from the cassette or filling the cassette with the drug, a cassette transfer unit for transferring the cassette between the cassette shelf and the drug transfer unit, and a mechanism for inclining the cassette transferred to the drug transfer unit so that the upper surface of the cassette faces downward toward the user's standing position side. An apparatus comprising the same.

2. The cassette includes, as the drug, a storage container capable of storing a fractional amount of the drug, the storage container includes at least one storage portion, a side wall defining the storage portion, a side wall facing a portion of the cassette transferred to the drug transfer unit and located on the user's standing position side, and a bottom portion defining the storage portion, the side wall is inclined outward in the direction of the storage portion upward from the bottom portion, the mechanism inclines the cassette transferred to the drug transfer unit in a direction in which the inclination of the side wall approaches a horizontal plane. The apparatus according to Claim 1.

3. The cassette includes, as the drug, a storage container capable of storing a fractional amount of the drug, the storage container includes at least one storage portion, a side wall defining the storage portion, a side wall facing a portion of the cassette transferred to the drug transfer unit and located on the user's standing position side, and a bottom portion defining the storage portion, the bottom portion is inclined so as to move away from the upper surface of the cassette as it moves away from the side wall, the mechanism inclines the cassette transferred to the drug transfer unit in a direction in which the inclination of the bottom portion approaches a horizontal plane. The apparatus according to Claim 1 or 2.

Images